Surya Grahan 2025 time in India, US, Europe: How to watch, things to remember. Here's all about this year's first solar eclipse

The first solar eclipse of 2025 is set to take place on March 29. This will be a partial solar eclipse, where the Moon will partially cover the Sun, creating a crescent-shaped spectacle in the sky. However, this celestial event will not be visible from India.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon aligns between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s light either partially or completely. According to Vedic astrology, the Surya Grahan is considered an inauspicious time, and traditional beliefs discourage eating and drinking during this period. Instead, meditation is advised.

Surya Grahan 2025: Visibility Across the World

According to NASA, the partial solar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Northwestern Africa, Greenland, Iceland, some parts of the northeastern US, and eastern Canada.

Surya Grahan in India Time:

In Indian Standard Time (IST), the partial eclipse will begin at 2:21 PM and end at 6:14 PM, peaking at 4:17 PM. However, since the Moon’s shadow will not pass over India, the eclipse will not be visible in India.

Surya Grahan time in US

In the US, the eclipse will begin at 4:50 AM EDT, peak at 6:47 AM EDT, and conclude at 8:43 AM EDT. The following are the viewing times for some US states as reported by USA Today:

New York: 6:35 AM to 7:12 AM

Pennsylvania: 6:46 AM to 7:08 AM

New Jersey: 6:43 AM to 7:06 AM

Virginia: 6:50 AM to 7:03 AM

In Europe, the partial solar eclipse will start at approximately 10 AM GMT and end at around 12 noon, peaking at 11:03 AM GMT, as per Live Science.

Safety Measures for Watching the Eclipse: Experts emphasize the importance of proper eye protection when viewing a solar eclipse. Here are key safety guidelines:

Use proper eye protection: Always wear ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses, even dark ones, are not safe.

Avoid direct viewing: Looking at the Sun without protection can cause permanent eye damage.

Use safe viewing methods: A pinhole projector can project the Sun’s image onto another surface. Telescopes, binoculars, and cameras should have solar filters.

Avoid unsafe filters: Do not use X-ray films, CDs, DVDs, or tinted glass, as they do not block harmful radiation.

Watch online: If proper gear is unavailable, live streams from space agencies and observatories offer a safe alternative.

While the partial solar eclipse will not be visible in India, those interested can follow the event through online broadcasts from international space agencies.