Astronomy & Panchang
Eclipses in 2026
Four eclipses fall in 2026 — two solar, two lunar. Only one is visible from India.
Annular Solar Eclipse
Not visible from India. Visible in Antarctica, with a partial phase over Africa, South America and the southern oceans.
Total Lunar Eclipse
Visible from India. Visible across Asia, Australia and the Americas — this is the one to watch for if you're in India.
Total Solar Eclipse
Not visible from India. Totality crosses Greenland, Iceland and Spain, with a partial phase over Europe, Africa and North America.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Not visible from India. Visible from the Americas, Europe and Africa; not visible from South Asia.
What is Sutak Kaal?
In Hindu tradition, Sutak Kaal is a period of ritual caution observed before an eclipse — traditionally 12 hours before a solar eclipse and 9 hours before a lunar eclipse. During this window, many people avoid cooking, eating, entering temples, or starting new ventures, and temples may close their doors until the eclipse ends. Sutak is traditionally considered applicable only where the eclipse is actually visible — since the March 3, 2026 lunar eclipse is visible from India, Sutak timing would apply there; the other three 2026 eclipses aren't visible from India, so Sutak is not traditionally observed for them.
Solar vs. lunar eclipse, in brief
A solar eclipse happens at Amavasya (new moon), when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight from a narrow path on Earth's surface. A lunar eclipse happens at Purnima (full moon), when Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon — visible from the entire night side of Earth at once, which is why lunar eclipses are seen far more widely than solar ones.
Eclipses and Panchang
Eclipses always occur on either Amavasya or Purnima — see those pages for the full 2026 dates. For more on how Tithi and the lunar cycle work, read our Panchang guide.
Eclipse dates, types and visibility above are drawn from published astronomical predictions (NASA and timeanddate.com). Exact local contact times vary by city — check a dedicated eclipse-timing source for your location if you plan to observe one.
Looking ahead
See Eclipses 2026 as a printable table, or the confirmed Eclipses 2027 list — eclipse dates, unlike lunar Panchang dates, are precise years in advance.