Solar Eclipse 2025 (Surya Grahan): Date and Key Details

 

A rare cosmic event is on the way. On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the last solar eclipse of the year will take place as the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun. Depending on where you are, the eclipse will either partially block the Sun’s light or be invisible altogether.

For astronomy lovers, this is an exciting opportunity. But the big question many people in India are asking is: Will the eclipse be visible here?

Where Will the Solar Eclipse Be Visible?

According to NASA and EarthSky, this eclipse will mostly favor the Southern Hemisphere. The best views will be available in:

·         Australia

·         New Zealand

·         Antarctica

·         South Pacific Ocean

·         South Atlantic Ocean

Viewers in these regions can expect to see the Moon covering up to 85% of the Sun’s surface at maximum.

Solar Eclipse 2025 Timings (in UTC)

Here’s how the eclipse will unfold globally (Universal Time Coordinated):

·         Eclipse begins: 17:29 UTC

·         Maximum eclipse: 19:41 UTC (about 85% coverage)

·         Eclipse ends: 21:53 UTC

Since Indian Standard Time (IST) is UTC +5:30, this means the event will technically occur between 10:59 pm and 3:23 am IST — when the Sun isn’t visible in India.

Will the Surya Grahan Be Visible in India?

The short answer is no. The September 21 solar eclipse will not be visible from India, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Earlier in the same month, on September 7–8, 2025, a lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) was visible across much of India, but this solar event won’t be.

Connection With Hindu Calendar and Rituals

Interestingly, the eclipse coincides with the last day of Pitru Paksha, the 16-day period when Hindus honor their ancestors through special rituals.

Normally, when an eclipse is visible in India, it triggers a Sutak period, during which religious ceremonies, temple visits, and cooking are avoided. But since this Surya Grahan isn’t visible in India, no Sutak rules will apply.

That said, some people may still choose to observe symbolic practices, like meditation, fasting, or prayer, to mark the cosmic event in a personal way.

Final Takeaway

The September 21, 2025 solar eclipse will be a breathtaking sight for people in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Antarctica, but it will remain invisible to India and much of the Northern Hemisphere.

For sky-watchers in India, the next opportunity will come with future eclipses better positioned for our skies. Until then, this event is a reminder of the extraordinary celestial dance between the Sun, Moon, and Earth.