Mumbai: There is no Surya Grahan (solar eclipse) on 1 November 2024. Many people are curious about today’s date, but the last solar eclipse of the year actually occurred on October 2, 2024, starting at 9:13 PM and concluding at 3:17 AM. This eclipse marked the final event of the year, closing 2024’s celestial activities.
Looking ahead, 2025 will witness two solar eclipses, both carrying traditional and cultural significance. These dates are essential for those observing Vedic customs and for regions where the eclipses will be visible. Let’s explore these upcoming events, their timings, and the customary practices often followed during these times.
Upcoming Solar Eclipses in 2025
The First Solar Eclipse of 2025: March 29
The first Surya Grahan of 2025 will occur on March 29 and will be partially visible in regions across Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, the Arctic Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. However, the eclipse will not be visible in India, which means that the sutak period—a time traditionally observed in Indian astrology as inauspicious—will not apply.
The Second and Last Solar Eclipse of 2025: September 21
The second and final solar eclipse of 2025 is scheduled for September 21. Like the March eclipse, this one will also be a partial eclipse. It will be visible across areas such as the Atlantic Ocean, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, and Australia, but once again, it will not be visible in India. Consequently, the sutak period will also not be observed.
Important Guidelines During Solar Eclipses
Solar eclipses are moments of both astronomical wonder and cultural importance. For those following Vedic astrology, specific practices are observed during a Surya Grahan:
- Staying Indoors: Staying indoors and avoiding outdoor exposure during the eclipse is a common practice, especially among those following Vedic astrology.
- Avoid Eating During the Eclipse Hours: Eating is traditionally discouraged during a solar eclipse, with some choosing to protect prepared food by adding tulsi (holy basil) leaves, which are thought to ward off any harmful effects.
- Pause Worship and Prayers: Religious activities are paused until after the eclipse ends. Many people purify their homes with Ganga water post-eclipse to cleanse the space spiritually.
- Avoiding Kitchen Activities: Cooking or other kitchen-related tasks are typically avoided during the eclipse period.
- Donate Clothes and Food: Donations of food and clothing are customary after the eclipse, seen as a gesture of goodwill and spiritual merit.
Observing Solar Eclipses with Awareness
With no Surya Grahan on 1 November 2024, enthusiasts can look forward to the next solar eclipses on March 29 and September 21, 2025. These events, while not visible in India, remind us of the cultural and spiritual significance that solar eclipses hold in traditional beliefs. Knowing these dates and understanding the customs associated with them offers valuable insight into how celestial events are viewed within various cultural contexts.
