The lunar eclipse falls on Raksha Bandhan, but it will not be visible in India; here’s what it means for Rakhi rituals, Sutak and Bhadra. By CNBCTV18.com August 22, 2026, 1:19:32 AM IST (Published)
Raksha Bandhan 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, marking the festival of the cherished bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie the sacred Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists, perform aarti and pray for their happiness, prosperity and well-being, while brothers offer gifts and reaffirm their bond of love and support. However, this year’s Raksha Bandhan celebrations have raised questions over the timing of the traditional Rakhi rituals, as a lunar eclipse is also scheduled on the festival day. The eclipse has led to questions about the Rakhi-tying muhurat, Chandra Grahan timings, Sutak Kaal and Bhadra, and whether any of these will affect the celebrations.
Here is what you need to know about the Chandra Grahan, Rakhi muhurat, Sutak Kaal, Bhadra and its impact on the festival. When is Raksha Bandhan 2026? Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on August 28, 2026, which falls on the full moon or Shravan Purnima. In New Delhi, the Purnima tithi starts at 9:08 am on August 27 and ends at around 9:48 am on August 28, according to Drik Panchang.
What is the Rakhi-tying muhurat in 2026? For New Delhi, the Rakhi-tying window is approximately 5:57 am to 9:48 am on August 28. The exact start time can vary slightly from one city to another because it is linked to local sunrise. Is there a lunar eclipse on Raksha Bandhan?
Yes. A partial lunar eclipse will take place on August 28, although it will not be visible in India. According to the Drik Panchang, the penumbral phase of the lunar eclipse will begin at 6:55 am, followed by the partial eclipse at 8:04 am.
More Read
The eclipse will reach its maximum at 9:43 am, before the partial phase ends at 11:21 am. The penumbral phase will finally conclude at 12:30 pm. The partial lunar eclipse lasts 3 hours, 16 minutes and 37 seconds, while the entire penumbral phase lasts 5 hours, 35 minutes and 44 seconds. Will the lunar eclipse be visible in India?
No, the eclipse will not be visible from India. Although the eclipse timings fall during the daytime in India, the Moon will not be above the horizon here during the relevant phase. It will be visible in some parts of other regions, including North and South America, Europe, Africa and parts of western Asia, according to Space.com. Will the lunar eclipse affect Raksha Bandhan? The eclipse will not affect Raksha Bandhan rituals in India because it is not visible here. Therefore, the Rakhi-tying muhurat remains unchanged.
Will Sutak Kaal be observed in India? No Sutak Kaal will apply in India for this eclipse because the eclipse is not visible from the country. Traditionally, Sutak associated with an eclipse is observed where the eclipse is visible. According to Drik Panchang, the Sutak Kaal for a Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) starts 9 hours before the eclipse begins and ends when the eclipse is completely over. Is there Bhadra on Raksha Bandhan?
Bhadra ends before sunrise on August 28, according to the panchang calculations. This means the Raksha Bandhan morning is free of Bhadra. The Purnima tithi continues until around 9:48 am, giving a morning window for the Rakhi ceremony. So, when should you tie Rakhi? For New Delhi, the recommended window is around 5:57 am to 9:48 am on August 28.
Since the exact sunrise-based timing differs by location, families in other cities should check their local Panchang for the precise muhurat. Can Rakhi be tied during the eclipse timing? The eclipse’s main phase is scheduled between 8:04 am and 11:22 am IST, but it will not be visible in India. Since the eclipse will not be visible in India, it will not restrict the Raksha Bandhan rituals or change the auspicious time for tying Rakhi. However, because the Purnima tithi ends around 9:48 am, those following the cited Raksha Bandhan muhurat should preferably complete the ceremony before that time rather than waiting for the eclipse period to end. (Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
