✦ Lunar Eclipse ✦
✦ The Moon eclipsed by Rahu-Ketu — a special interval on Purnima ✦
✦ What is Lunar Eclipse? ✦
A lunar eclipse = the astronomical event in which Earth comes between Sun and Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon. It can occur only on Purnima — and not even on every Purnima, due to the Moon's 5° orbital tilt.
According to the Puranas, Rahu and Ketu, after the amrita-deception, attempt to swallow Sun and Moon. During a lunar eclipse, Rahu/Ketu are seen swallowing the Moon — the deity of the mind, lord of chitta.
The sutaka period for a lunar eclipse begins 9 hours before (less than for solar). Mind-related undertakings should be deferred — marriage talks, relationship decisions, mental sankalpas. During the eclipse, mantra-japa, meditation, and amrita-stotra recitation are highly auspicious.
Three types — total (Moon fully in shadow), partial (Moon partly in shadow), penumbral (light outer shadow). Sutaka rules apply only to total and partial eclipses — not to penumbral.
✦ Concept & Rule ✦
Astronomical basis: Earth casts two shadows — umbra (full shadow) and penumbra (partial). Moon entering the umbra produces total/partial eclipse; only in penumbra produces a penumbral eclipse. There are 2–5 lunar eclipses per year. Each is visible from some portion of Earth — visibility from India varies.
✦ Upcoming Lunar Eclipses (2026-2028) ✦
28 Aug 2026 · Fri
Partial Lunar · Visible across India
20 Feb 2027 · Sat
Penumbral Lunar · Visible globally
17 Aug 2027 · Tue
Penumbral Lunar · Visible in India
12 Jan 2028 · Wed
Partial Lunar · Visible in Asia — full visibility in India
6 Jul 2028 · Thu
Partial Lunar · Visible in India
31 Dec 2028 · Sun
Partial Lunar · Visible in India
* Delhi panchang reference. May vary by ±1 day for other locations.