Chandra Grahan 2026: IMD issues key update on March 3 Lunar Eclipse, shares important details about visibility and timings

The first Chandra Grahan of 2026, also known as the lunar Eclipse, will take place on March 3, 2026, coinciding with the vibrant Holi festival. On Chandra Grahan, the Moon will pass directly through Earth's shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that a total lunar eclipse will occur when the whole Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth, and a partial lunar eclipse occurs only when a part of the Moon comes under the shadow of the Earth.

Chandra Grahan 2026 timings: What IMD said

In a post on X, the IMD mentioned that a total lunar eclipse is set to occur on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, marking a significant astronomical event with a deep magnitude of 1.155. This phenomenon takes place when the entire Moon enters the Earth’s umbral shadow, whereas a partial eclipse is limited to only a portion of the Moon being obscured. This particular total eclipse will be visible to observers across India, as well as in Eastern Asia, Australia, and the Americas"

Chandra Grahan 2026: Key Timings

In India, the visibility of the lunar eclipse will vary by region. In most parts of the country, observers will see the eclipse ending around moonrise. However, in North-East India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the end of the totality phase will also be visible during the Chandra Grahan tomorrow.


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Chandra Grahan kab hai?

According to Indian Standard Time (IST), the eclipse will follow this schedule:

Start of the eclipse: 15:20 (3:20 PM)

Totality begins: 16:34 (4:34 PM)

End of totality: 17:33 (5:33 PM)

End of the entire eclipse cycle: 18:48 (6:48 PM)

This schedule provides skywatchers across India with a clear timeline of the celestial event.

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Kal Chandra Grahan kitne baje hai?

The lunar eclipse will start at 03:20 PM IST and end at 06:47 PM IST, lasting a few hours.

In most parts of India, the eclipse will be visible for only about 15 minutes, from 06:30 PM to 06:47 PM, after moonrise.

Northeastern states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and West Bengal will have better visibility, as the Moon rises earlier there.

Will this Lunar Eclipse be visible in India?

Yes, this Lunar Eclipse will be seen from different parts of India.

Chandra Grahan Timing in India

The Chandra Grahan is slated to begin at 15:20 (3:20 PM), with the totality phase starting at 16:34 (4:34 PM). The Moon will remain completely within the Earth’s shadow until totality ends at 17:33 (5:33 PM), and the entire eclipse cycle will officially conclude at 18:48 (6:48 PM).