Penumbral Lunar Eclipse उपच्छाया चन्द्र ग्रहण

Monday, 30 November 2020

Past eclipse

Type

Penumbral Lunar

Start (IST)

13:02

Peak Time (IST)

15:12

End (IST)

17:23

Duration

4h 21m

Magnitude

0.829

Tithi

Purnima

Rashi

Vrishabha (Rohini)

Visible in India

Visibility Regions:

Sutak Kaal

Not applicable (eclipse not visible from India)

About Chandra Grahan चन्द्र ग्रहण

Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow on the lunar surface. In Vedic tradition, this is when Rahu (the lunar north node) 'swallows' the Moon — making it one of the most sacred and karmically charged moments of the year. Lunar eclipses always fall on Purnima (full moon).

चन्द्र ग्रहण तब होता है जब पृथ्वी सूर्य और चन्द्रमा के बीच आ जाती है। वैदिक परम्परा में यह वह क्षण है जब राहु चन्द्र को 'ग्रसता' है — जो वर्ष के सर्वाधिक पवित्र और कर्म-प्रभावी क्षणों में से एक माना जाता है।

Chandra Grahan is one of the four annual sacred occasions when astronomical, spiritual, and karmic forces converge. Per the Puranic story, during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean of milk), the demon Rahu disguised himself as a god to drink the Amrit (nectar of immortality). Surya (Sun) and Chandra (Moon) recognized him and alerted Vishnu, who beheaded Rahu — but since the Amrit had reached his throat, his head and body became immortal as Rahu and Ketu. To this day, Rahu seeks revenge by 'swallowing' the Moon during full moons (lunar eclipses) and the Sun during new moons (solar eclipses). This is the mythological framework of every Hindu eclipse observance.

Scientific Explanation

Astronomically, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon. Three types: Total (Earth's umbra fully covers the Moon — gives it a red 'Blood Moon' color), Partial (only part of the Moon enters the umbra), Penumbral (Moon passes only through Earth's outer faint shadow). Lunar eclipses always occur on Purnima (full moon). Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye and are visible from the entire night-side of Earth.

Sutak Kaal — The Restricted Period सूतक काल

Duration

9 hours (4 prahar) before the peak of the eclipse

Calculation

Sutak begins 9 hours before peak time and ends at moksha (eclipse end). Only applies if eclipse is visible from your location.

Sutak does NOT apply if the eclipse is not visible from your geographic location, OR if it is a penumbral eclipse (per most traditions).

Sutak Rules

Refrain from eating (children, pregnant women, sick, and elderly are exempt)
Avoid sleeping during sutak
Do not begin new ventures or sign contracts
Idol worship in temples is paused — temple doors close before sutak begins
Cooking and cooked food storage avoided; freshly-cooked food during sutak is discarded
Add tulsi leaves to milk, curd, ghee, water before sutak to keep them pure
Bathe at sutak start, take dharma sankalpa
Spend sutak in japa, scripture reading, charity preparation

Pregnancy Precautions

Avoid stepping outdoors during sutak and grahan
Do not use sharp objects (knife, scissors) — Vedic tradition believes this affects the unborn child
Avoid lying down — sit upright if possible
Place tulsi leaf or kusha grass on the abdomen as protection
Recite Maha Mrityunjaya, Santan Gopal mantra continuously during sutak
Take bath immediately after eclipse ends; donate items associated with Rahu (black sesame, mustard oil, iron) afterward

Note: These are traditional Vedic practices. Modern medicine finds no biological eclipse effect on pregnancy; the practice is followed for cultural and meditative reasons.

Rituals & Vidhi

1

Pre-Eclipse Bath

Take a bath at the start of sutak with sankalpa (intention) for the day's observances. Wear clean clothes; avoid stitched clothing if possible during the eclipse itself.
2

Tulsi Protection

Add tulsi leaves to all water, milk, ghee, curd, and stored food before sutak. This is believed to protect them from negative eclipse vibrations. Discard food cooked during sutak after the eclipse.
3

Mantra Japa During Eclipse

The hours of the eclipse itself are considered the most spiritually charged of the entire year. Mantras chanted during a grahan are believed to give 1000× the merit of normal japa. Sit facing east or north; recite Mahamrityunjaya, Chandra Mantra, or Gayatri continuously.
4

Post-Eclipse Bath

After the eclipse ends (moksha), take an immediate bath — ideally in a sacred river (Ganga, Yamuna). At home, add Ganga jal to bath water. Wash all clothes; clean the home.
5

Donation (Daan)

Eclipse donation is considered the highest form of dana — granting punya to the giver and clearing past karma. Standard items: white grains (rice, wheat), white cloth, milk, curd, ghee. For Rahu shanti: black sesame, mustard oil, iron items, blue/black cloth.
6

Resume Normal Life

After post-eclipse bath and donation, eat fresh food (avoid leftovers from before sutak). Resume daily activities. The post-grahan day is considered auspicious for spiritual practices.

Mantras

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam. Urvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritaat.

Meaning: We worship the three-eyed Lord, fragrant and nourishing. May He liberate us from death's bondage as a cucumber from its stem.

Japa: 108 or 1008 times during the eclipse. Most powerful mantra for grahan kaal.

Chandra Mantra

ॐ श्रां श्रीं श्रौं सः चन्द्रमसे नमः

Om Shram Shrim Shraum Sah Chandramase Namah

Meaning: Salutations to Chandra (Moon)

Japa: 108 times — pacifies Chandra and protects the manas (mind) during grahan

Rahu Mantra

ॐ भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः

Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah

Meaning: Salutations to Rahu

Japa: 108 times — pacifies Rahu's effects, particularly relevant during the eclipse he is believed to cause

Vedic Gayatri Mantra

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं। भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha. Tat Savitur Varenyam. Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi. Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.

Meaning: We meditate upon the radiant glory of Savitur. May He illumine our intellects.

Japa: Continuous japa during the eclipse — universal mantra valid for all observances

Donation List

White rice and wheat — purifying donations
Milk, curd, and ghee — symbolic Moon offerings
White cloth or new clothes
Black sesame (til) — for Rahu pacification
Mustard oil and iron items — Rahu/Shani related
Money to a learned Brahmin or temple
Food to crows, dogs, and cows after the eclipse

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chandra Grahan?

Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) is the astronomical phenomenon where the Earth comes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. It always occurs on Purnima (full moon). In Vedic tradition, it is considered when Rahu 'swallows' the Moon — one of the most spiritually charged moments of the year.

When is the next Chandra Grahan?

The next lunar eclipse visible from India is shown at the top of this page. Not all lunar eclipses are visible from India — visibility depends on whether the Moon is above the horizon during the eclipse for your location.

What is Sutak Kaal for Chandra Grahan?

Sutak Kaal for Chandra Grahan begins 9 hours (4 prahar) before the peak of the eclipse and ends when the eclipse ends (moksha). During sutak, eating, sleeping, and idol worship are traditionally avoided. Sutak applies ONLY if the eclipse is visible from your location.

Can I see a Chandra Grahan with naked eye?

Yes — unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to view with the naked eye. The Moon does not emit harmful light during the eclipse. In fact, observing the Blood Moon during totality (when the Moon turns red-orange) is considered spiritually meaningful and visually spectacular.

What should pregnant women do during Chandra Grahan?

Per Vedic tradition: avoid stepping outdoors during sutak and the eclipse, do not use sharp objects (knife, scissors), avoid lying down, place tulsi leaf or kusha grass on the abdomen for protection, recite Maha Mrityunjaya or Santan Gopal mantra continuously, and bathe immediately after the eclipse ends. (These are traditional practices; modern medicine finds no biological effect of eclipse on pregnancy, but the practice is followed for cultural and meditative reasons.)

What food rules apply during Chandra Grahan?

Avoid eating during sutak (9 hours before eclipse) and during the eclipse itself. Children under 12, pregnant women, sick, and elderly are exempt. Add tulsi leaves to all stored milk, curd, ghee, and water before sutak. Discard food cooked during sutak after the eclipse. After post-eclipse bath, eat fresh food.

What mantras should I chant during Chandra Grahan?

The most powerful mantras during grahan are: Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (108 or 1008 times), Chandra Mantra, Rahu Mantra (since Rahu causes the eclipse), and the Vedic Gayatri Mantra. Mantra japa during grahan is believed to give 1000× the merit of normal japa.