Annular Solar Eclipse वलयाकार सूर्य ग्रहण

Sunday, 09 May 2032

in 2164 days

Type

Annular Solar

Start (IST)

18:37

Peak Time (IST)

18:55

End (IST)

18:17

Duration

Magnitude

0.000

Tithi

Amavasya

Rashi

Mesha (Bharani)

Visible in India

Visibility Regions:

Sutak Kaal

Not applicable (eclipse not visible from India)

About Surya Grahan सूर्य ग्रहण

Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on the Earth's surface. In Vedic tradition, this is when Rahu (the lunar north node) 'swallows' the Sun — making it one of the most karmically powerful and ritually restricted moments of the year. Solar eclipses always fall on Amavasya (new moon).

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

Surya Grahan is the most karmically restricted moment in the Hindu year. Per the Puranic story, when Rahu (disguised as a god) drank Amrit during the Samudra Manthan, Surya and Chandra exposed him to Vishnu — who beheaded him with the Sudarshan Chakra. Since the Amrit had reached Rahu's throat, his head and body became immortal as Rahu and Ketu. To this day, Rahu seeks revenge against the Sun by 'swallowing' him during Amavasya (new moon) — creating Surya Grahan. The restrictions during Surya Grahan are stricter than during Chandra Grahan because the Sun is the king of all planets (Surya Pitamah) — when he is afflicted, the entire cosmos is energetically disturbed.

Scientific Explanation

Astronomically, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight. Four types: Total (Moon completely covers the Sun, producing the famous 'corona' view — only visible along a narrow path), Annular (Moon is too far to cover the Sun fully — leaves a 'Ring of Fire'), Partial (only part of the Sun is covered), Hybrid (rare — appears total in some locations and annular in others). Solar eclipses always occur on Amavasya. NEVER look at a solar eclipse with the naked eye — it can cause permanent retinal damage.

Sutak Kaal — The Restricted Period सूतक काल

Duration

12 hours (4 yaam) before the peak of the eclipse — STRICTER than Chandra Grahan's 9 hours

Calculation

Sutak begins 12 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. Surya Grahan sutak rules are observed more strictly than Chandra Grahan.

Sutak Rules

Refrain from eating completely (children under 5, pregnant women, sick, elderly may take light food)
Avoid sleeping during sutak — stay awake doing japa or scripture reading
Do NOT begin any new ventures, sign contracts, or make major decisions
Idol worship in temples is paused — temple doors close at sutak start, deity is 'put to rest'
Cooking during sutak is avoided; freshly cooked food is discarded after eclipse
Add tulsi leaves to milk, curd, ghee, water, and grain stores before sutak
Bathe at sutak start with full sankalpa
Avoid sexual activity during sutak
Keep the body covered; avoid going outside during the actual eclipse

Pregnancy Precautions

Pregnant women observe stricter precautions for Surya Grahan than Chandra Grahan
Stay completely indoors — do not even look at the sky during the eclipse
Do not use sharp objects (knife, scissors, needles) for the entire 12-hour sutak
Place a tulsi leaf, kusha grass, or coconut on the abdomen as protection
Recite Santan Gopal Mantra, Maha Mrityunjaya, or Aditya Hridayam continuously
Wear ahimsak protective elements — silver, copper, gold ornaments
Take bath immediately after eclipse moksha; donate Rahu items (black sesame, mustard oil, iron) afterward
Avoid lying down — sit upright through sutak

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-Sutak Bath and Sankalpa

12 hours before the eclipse peak, take a thorough bath with intent (sankalpa) for the day's observances. Wear clean cotton clothing. Avoid synthetic clothing during sutak.
2

Tulsi Protection of Stored Items

Add tulsi leaves to all stored milk, curd, ghee, water, and grain. Without tulsi, these items are believed to absorb negative grahan vibrations. Discard any food cooked during sutak after the eclipse.
3

DO NOT View the Sun Directly

Unlike a lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse is medically dangerous to view directly — even partial obscuring can cause permanent retinal damage. Use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses, a pinhole projector, or a telescope with solar filter. Vedic tradition also prescribes staying indoors during the eclipse.
4

Continuous Mantra Japa

The hours of the solar eclipse are considered the most karmically charged of the entire year. Mantras chanted during Surya Grahan are believed to give 100,000× the merit of normal japa. Sit facing east; recite Aditya Hridayam, Maha Mrityunjaya, or Surya Mantra continuously.
5

Post-Eclipse Bath and Cleansing

Immediately after the eclipse ends (moksha), take a bath — ideally in a sacred river. At home, add Ganga jal to bath water. Clean the entire home; wash all clothes; sprinkle Ganga jal in every room.
6

Donation (Daan)

Solar eclipse donation is the highest form of dana in Vedic tradition. Standard items: 7 grains, gold or silver, red cloth, jaggery (Sun-related), copper. For Rahu shanti: black sesame, mustard oil, iron, blue/black cloth. Donating to a Brahmin, temple, or feeding cattle and crows is most meritorious.
7

Resume Activities

After post-eclipse bath, donation, and a fresh meal, gradually resume daily activities. The 24 hours after Surya Grahan are considered auspicious for spiritual practices, japa, and starting new sadhanas (NOT for new worldly ventures — wait at least 1 day).

Mantras

Aditya Hridayam (opening)

ॐ नमो भगवते आदित्याय। ॐ खखोल्काय नमः। ॐ हिरण्यगर्भाय नमः।

Om Namo Bhagavate Adityaya. Om Khakholkaya Namah. Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah.

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Aditya, the brilliant Sun, the Golden Embryo of the universe.

Japa: Recite the full 31-shloka Aditya Hridayam during the eclipse — extremely powerful for sun-related afflictions

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.

Japa: 108 or 1008 times during the eclipse

Surya Beej Mantra

ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः

Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah

Meaning: Salutations to Surya (Sun)

Japa: 108 or 1008 times — pacifies Surya's affliction during grahan

Rahu Beej 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 since Rahu is the cause of Surya Grahan in Vedic tradition

Donation List

Wheat, rice, and 7 grains (Sapta Dhanya)
Gold or silver (small ornament or coin)
Red or saffron cloth — Sun-associated colors
Jaggery (gud) — Sun's favored offering
Copper utensils
Black sesame (til) — for Rahu pacification
Mustard oil and iron items — Rahu/Shani items
Money to a learned Brahmin or temple
Food to cows, dogs, crows after the eclipse

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Surya Grahan?

Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) is the astronomical phenomenon where the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight. It always occurs on Amavasya (new moon). In Vedic tradition, it is considered when Rahu 'swallows' the Sun — one of the most karmically powerful moments of the year, with stricter ritual restrictions than Chandra Grahan.

When is the next Surya Grahan?

The next solar eclipse visible from India is shown at the top of this page. Visibility depends on whether the Moon's shadow path passes over your location. Most solar eclipses are visible from only narrow regions of Earth.

What is Sutak Kaal for Surya Grahan?

Sutak Kaal for Surya Grahan begins 12 hours (4 yaam) before the peak — stricter than Chandra Grahan's 9 hours. During sutak, eating, sleeping, and idol worship are avoided. Sutak applies ONLY if the eclipse is visible from your location.

Can I see a Surya Grahan with naked eye?

NO — directly viewing a solar eclipse with naked eyes can cause permanent retinal damage (solar retinopathy), often within seconds. Always use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses, a pinhole projector, or a telescope with proper solar filter. Even during near-totality, it is unsafe to look directly without protection. Vedic tradition also prescribes staying indoors during the eclipse.

What should pregnant women do during Surya Grahan?

Pregnant women observe stricter precautions for Surya Grahan than Chandra Grahan. Stay completely indoors, do not look at the sky, do not use sharp objects (knife, scissors) for the entire 12-hour sutak, place a tulsi leaf or coconut on the abdomen as protection, recite Santan Gopal mantra continuously, sit upright (avoid lying down), and bathe immediately after the eclipse ends. (These are traditional Vedic practices; modern medicine finds no biological effect.)

Why is Surya Grahan more restricted than Chandra Grahan?

In Vedic tradition, the Sun (Surya) is the 'King of Planets' (Graharaj) — the central source of life, vitality, and power. When Surya is afflicted by Rahu, the entire cosmic energetic field is disturbed. The Moon (Chandra) is significant but secondary. Hence Surya Grahan sutak is 12 hours (vs Chandra's 9 hours), and ritual restrictions are stricter.

What food rules apply during Surya Grahan?

Avoid eating during the entire 12-hour sutak. Children under 5, pregnant women, sick, and elderly may take light food. Add tulsi leaves to all stored milk, curd, ghee, water, and grain before sutak. Discard food cooked during sutak. After post-eclipse bath, eat fresh light food (preferably khichdi or similar simple sattvik meal).