Penumbral Lunar Eclipse 2024: First Chandra Grahan of 2024 coincides with Holi; Date, Sutak time, visibility in India

The first Lunar Eclipse of 2024 is on March 25. Find out if Chandra Grahan will be visible in India, Sutak time and more.

Updated on: Mar 25, 2024, 08:13:43 IST

By Krishna Priya Pallavi, New Delhi

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The first Lunar Eclipse of 2024 will coincide with the auspicious Holi celebrations, and it will be a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. In 2024, we will witness a total of four Eclipses. Among them, two will be Chandra Grahan. The Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will occur on the same day as the Festival of Colours. A Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow across the Lunar surface. It can only occur during a Full Moon and are a popular event for skywatchers worldwide as they do not require any special equipment to enjoy, unlike Solar Eclipses. Know more about the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, if it will be visible in India, Sutak time, and more inside.

The first Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2024 will coincide with the festival of Holi. (Himanshu Vyas / Hindustan Times)

(Also Read | Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse in 2024: Two Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan to take place in 2024. All details here)

What is Penumbral Lunar Eclipse?

A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Moon travels through Earth's Penumbra or the faint outer part of its shadow. The Moon dims so slightly that it can be difficult to notice. This type of Lunar Eclipse is not as dramatic as other types of Lunar Eclipses and is often mistaken for a regular Full Moon.

When is Penumbral Lunar Eclipse and Time

The first Lunar Eclipse of 2024 falls on March 25. The Hindu festival of Holi also falls on the same day. According to Space.com, the Penumbral Eclipse will begin at 12:53 am EDT (0453 GMT), the maximum stage of the Eclipse will occur a couple of hours later at 3:12 am EDT (0712 GMT) and the penumbral eclipse will end at 5:32 am EDT (0932 GMT). The overall duration of the eclipse will be 4 hours and 39 minutes.

As per NASA, the next lunar eclipse will be partial and will occur on September 18, 2024 and will be visible in America, Europe, Africa.

Will the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse be visible in India?

The first Lunar Eclipse of 2024, or the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, will not be visible in India. According to timeanddate.com, the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will be visible in America, much of Europe, Australia and Africa, North/East Asia, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Arctic and Antarctica. The Eclipse will be visible in parts of Ireland, Belgium, Spain, England, South Norway, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Netherlands, and France.

Sutak Time and Holi Celebrations

The Sutak Period begins nine hours before the Eclipse. It is advised to avoid performing any religious activities or starting auspicious work during this time. However, since the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on March 25 will not be visible in India, the sutak period will not be considered valid. There will be no restrictions on religious activities, and temple doors will not be closed.

Meanwhile, the Purnima Tithi on Holi begins at 09:54 am on March 24, 2024, and ends at 12:29 pm on March 25.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Krishna Pallavi Priya
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More

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