
Chandra Grahan, also known as the lunar eclipse is set to occur today, 3 March. The first lunar eclipse of the year will be visible to 40% of the world's population. During this astronomical event, the Moon will appear red, and this phenomenon is known as 'blood moon.' Let's find out more details about Chandra Grahan 2026 which will be the last total lunar eclipse until late 2028.
This time Chandra Grahan will stretch as long as 5 hours 39 minutes. This duration refers to the period between the beginning and end of all eclipse phases. The duration of totality will be 58 minutes, of partial phases it will be 2 hours 29 minutes and of penumbral phases it will be of 2 hours 12 minutes.
Chandra Grahan will begin in the afternoon at 3:20 PM on Tuesday while the totality phase will start at 4:34 PM and end at 5:33 PM. The eclipse will end in the evening at 6:48 PM, according to IMD.
"Most of the places of India will observe the ending of the lunar eclipse at the time of moonrise except some places of North-East India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands where the end of the totality phase of the eclipse will also be visible, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a post on X said.
In cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, partial lunar eclipse will be visible between 5:38 PM and 7:53 PM, according to Time and Date.
Start of Penumbral: 6:21 PM
Maximum in Delhi: 6:27 PM
Duration: 1 hour 31 minutes
Penumbral Eclipse ends: 7:53 PM
Start of Penumbral: 6:45 PM
Maximum in Mumbai: 6:47
Duration: 1 hour, 8 minutes
Penumbral Eclipse ends: 7:53 PM
Start of Partial Lunar eclipse: 6:28 PM
Maximum in Bengaluru : 6:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
Penumbral Eclipse ends: 7:53 PM
Start of Partial Lunar eclipse: 5:38 PM
Maximum in Kolkata : 5:41 PM
Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
Penumbral Eclipse ends: 7:53 PM
A total lunar eclipse is a cosmic phenomenon when the Earth, Moon and the Sun align in a straight line on a Full Moon night. During the total lunar eclipse, anyone on the night-side of the Earth can see umbral shadow of the Earth on the Moon.
A significant part of this astronomical event will be visible in northeastern states — Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands— because the Moon rises earlier there.
| City | Visibility window |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 6:21 PM - 7:53 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:45 PM - 7:53 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:28 PM - 7:53 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:38 PM - 7:53 PM |
Lunar eclipses are some of the most easy-to-watch astronomical events as one just needs a pair of eyes and clear skies. Binoculars and telescope can be used for better viewing experience.