Total Lunar Eclipse 2026 Begins at 3:20 PM IST, Ends at 6:48 PM Across India

A total lunar eclipse is set to take place on Tuesday, offering skywatchers across India a chance to witness a rare celestial event in which the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that turns the lunar surface a deep reddish-orange. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this phenomenon occurs only during a full Moon phase when the alignment of the three celestial bodies is exact. The 2026 eclipse will be the only total lunar eclipse visible this year.

During a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon moves into the Earth’s umbral shadow, resulting in what is popularly known as a “Blood Moon.” This differs from a partial lunar eclipse, where only a portion of the Moon is covered by the Earth’s shadow. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that the eclipse will have a magnitude of 1.155, indicating a deep total eclipse. The event will be visible across India, as well as parts of Eastern Asia, Australia and the Americas, subject to clear weather conditions.

According to the IMD, most regions in India will witness the concluding phases of the eclipse at the time of moonrise. However, certain areas in North-East India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to observe the end of the totality phase as well. The varying visibility is due to the timing of moonrise across different time zones within the country, which determines how much of the eclipse can be seen from a particular location.

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The eclipse will begin at 3:20 p.m. IST, with totality starting at 4:34 p.m. and ending at 5:33 p.m. The overall event will conclude at approximately 6:48 p.m. IST. Astronomers note that lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses, which require protective eyewear. For an enhanced viewing experience, experts recommend watching from a dark location away from city lights, and using binoculars or a telescope for clearer details of the Moon’s surface.

Live coverage of the eclipse is also expected to be available through various space and science platforms for those unable to view it directly due to weather or location constraints. NASA and other scientific organisations typically stream such events online, providing real-time visuals and expert commentary. However, viewers in India with a clear line of sight to the eastern horizon at moonrise should be able to observe the phenomenon without any specialised equipment.

While there are no scientific or medical restrictions associated with viewing a lunar eclipse, cultural and religious practices often accompany such events in India. In Hindu tradition, many devotees engage in chanting Vedic mantras, meditation, bhajans and kirtans during the eclipse period. It is also customary in some communities to bathe before and after the event, and to recite the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for spiritual significance. Despite these beliefs, scientists emphasise that observing a lunar eclipse poses no harm and can be enjoyed safely by all.

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