Chandra Grahan March 2026 : A Rare Celestial Spectacle – Know the right Date, Sutak Kaal Timings, Details, Remedies and Significance of this Eclipse on Phalgun Purnima

Just a couple of days from today, on the 3rd of March 2026, celestial observers and religiously inclined astronomical gazers will in unison and unanimity will experience a magnificent cosmic event- Chandra Grahan March 2026 a time of Total Lunar Eclipse.

The whole of India is about to celebrate Holika Dahan on the 3rd of March which is being observed on the sacred Phalguna Purnima the night of the full moon which is making this day of Chandra Grahan March 2026 even more spiritually and culturally significant.

As per definition a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, which in turn casts a shadow on the surface of the moon. Popularly this is called a “Blood Moon” as the Moon looks reddish.

Chandra Grahan March 2026 – Date, Time, Sutak Kaal :Full details

Event	Time (Approx.)
Chandra Grahan March 2026 Date	03rd March, 2026
Sutak Kaal Start Time	6:23 AM on 3rd March, 2026
Partial Eclipse Start Time	3:20 PM on 3rd March, 2026
Total Eclipse Beginning time in India	4:38 PM on 3rd March, 2026
Maximum Eclipse Time in India	6:33 PM on 3rd March, 2026
Moonrise Time in India	6:26 PM on 3rd March, 2026
Eclipse Ending Time	6:47 PM on 3rd March, 2026
Sutak Kaal End Time	After 6:47 PM

Sutak Kaal on Chandra Grahan March 2026 — What It Is & When It Begins

As per Hindu Purans Sutak kaal is the inauspicious period starting around nine hours before and during eclipses. It is a belief that it is during Sutak period that negative energies revolve around and thus no new task should be started at this time.

For Chandra Grahan March 2026, sutak kaal in India will start in the early morning hours of March 3, around 6:23 AM and will continue till the Lunar Eclipse continues.

• Avoid auspicious ceremonies like weddings, house-warmings, or naming rituals.
• Temples may remain closed in accordance with tradition.
• Food preparations or eating freshly cooked meals is discouraged by traditional belief.
• Some people also refrain from touching sacred idols or performing pujas until after the eclipse.

What To Avoid During Sutak on Chandra Grahan March 2026

As Sutak Kaal is not considered a sacred time, the following should be avoided:

• Avoid Holika Dahan during Sutak Kaal
• Do not start new ventures or businesses
• Avoid cooking or eating freshly prepared food
• DO not store cooked food.
• Place Tulsi Patta or Holy Basil leaved on food items which cant be disposed
• Place Tulsi Patta near Mandir.
• Do not visit temple or do Puja (most temples even remain closed)
• Do not indulge in big purchases like car, house, electronics etc.
• Do not cook during Sutak or store cooked food
• Avoid unavoidable travel or trips during eclipse and Sutak.
• Pregnant women should neither step out nor sleep during the period and chant Mantras like Gayatri Mantra, Ram Naam, Krishna Mantra. This step should be followed by everyone for mental peace.
• Meditation or reading religious texts is also advised.

Holika Dahan & Chandra Grahan March 2026

As the Grahan and Phalgun Purnima coincide, there is confusion about Holika Dahan timing.

✔️ Holika Dahan should be performed before Sutak begins OR
✔️ At a muhurat free from Bhadra and outside eclipse timing but doing no preparations before Sutak Kall or during Sutak Kaal and Grahan.

It is also being suggested to perform Holika Dahan on March 2 evening, depending on Bhadra timing. Make sure to not celebrate during Sutak and Grahan timings.

Remedies After Chandra Grahan March 2026

In evening after the Eclipse is over, do the following remedial tasks to negate any negativity:

• Take a bath by adding few drops of Ganga Jal in bath water
• Clean the house
• Indulge in charity or Daan and donate clothes, food grains to needy and poor.
• Donate food, clothes, or money (daan)
• Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva for Karmic cleansing

Spiritual Significance of Chandra Grahan March 2026

Grahan and Dahan falling on the same day represents:

• Burning and warding away negative energies called Holika Dahan
• Shifting of Moon changes emotions and phases.
• Making a new start with piousness and positivity
• As per astrology this is a important period for signs like Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Conclusion

The Chandra Grahan March 2026 on 3rd of this month is a very very unique and spiritually strong event where both culture and science play their own unique roles. It is a brief moment to reflect and introspect both scientifically and spiritually under the changing light of Earth’s shadowed Moon.