The people around the world are in for a treat as they prepare to witness the much-awaited Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse today. This type of eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align themselves in a straight line. This means that the Earth is situated between the Sun and the Moon. This causes the Earth to cast a shadow on the Moon. Due to this shadow, the direct rays of the Sun do not fall on the Moon. This causes the Moon to look reddish in colour. This spectacular look of the Moon is referred to as a Blood Moon. If you are eager to know more about the event and its timings and locations, keep reading to know more.
The total lunar eclipse will happen on March 3, 2026. The full eclipse will last for about 58 minutes. According to astronomy reports, the partial eclipse will begin at 3:20 PM IST. The Moon will turn a dark red colour during the total phase, which starts at 4:34 PM. The eclipse will be at its maximum point at 5:03 PM. The total phase will end at 5:32 PM. After that, the partial phase will finish at 6:48 PM, and the lighter penumbral phase will end at 7:53 PM.
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The Blood Moon eclipse will be visible from different parts of the world. People from different parts of the world, including North America, South America, Europe, and Africa, will be able to see the eclipse clearly. In Asia, people from different parts of the continent will be able to see the eclipse, but at different times depending on the location.
For people living in India, the clear view of the Blood Moon eclipse will be available for people living in the northeastern parts of the country and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Cities such as Guwahati and Itanagar will be able to witness the eclipse at its peak, as the Moon rises earlier in these regions. Furthermore, eastern cities like Kolkata and Bhubaneswar may see the final phase of the eclipse for nearly an hour.
On the other hand, cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai will only be able to witness the Blood Moon toward the end of the event. According to reports, residents in these areas will get approximately 20 to 30 minutes to observe it. Meanwhile, cities in the western parts of India, such as Ahmedabad and Surat, are unlikely to see the Blood Moon, as the Moon will rise after the eclipse has already ended.
Here are the city wise timings for the Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse 2026:
According to the astrological data, the Sutak period is believed to begin at 6:20 AM on March 3, exactly nine hours before the eclipse time.
Places to watch the Blood Moon in India
If you’re planning to watch the Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse in India, then here are the best places you could be to witness that:
If you’re unable to view the Blood Moon lunar eclipse with the naked eye, you can still experience it live by tuning in to the official livestream on the Timeanddate YouTube channel.