Solar Eclipse Time - Surya Grahan 2020

Solar Eclipse is a significant natural phenomenon that affects the lives of all the creatures on the Earth. From the Vedic point of view, this astronomical event is absolutely unfavourable and inauspicious. It is believed that one should not begin or do any auspicious work during Surya Grahan or Solar Eclipse. Anything that is started or done during this period is said to result in a negative or unexpected outcome. 

When is Solar Eclipse?

In 2020, the first solar eclipse will occur on June 21, Sunday. It is an Annular Solar Eclipse.

Solar Eclipse Time and Duration

Begins	9:15 AM
Maximum	12:10PM
Ends:	15:04PM
Total Duration	6 Hours

What is Solar Eclipse?

Scientifically, Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and The Earth. It engulfs the Sun and casts a shadow on the parts of the Earth.

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The Solar Eclipse always seems to travel from one place to another due to the constant motion of the Moon and the Earth. As the Moon revolves around the Earth and Earth orbits around the Sun, both of these celestial bodies continuously move, changing the shaded area of Solar Eclipse.

Types of Solar Eclipse

There are different types of Solar Eclipse depending upon the magnitude of Eclipse and the shadow of the Moon cast over the Earth. As the Moon is comparatively smaller than the Sun and the Earth, its shadow is not big enough to cover the entire surface of Planet Earth. It is always limited to a certain area which also shows changes during the period of eclipse.

The main types of Solar Eclipse are:

• Partial Solar Eclipse

It occurs when the Moon covers the Sun partially and casts its Penumbra (outer region of Moon’s Shadow).

• Total Solar Eclipse

It takes place when the Moon blocks the entire central region of the Sun and casts Umbra (central region of Moon’s shadow).

• Annular Solar Eclipse 

It occurs when the Moon is far away from the Sun and unable to cast Umbra on the Earth. Thus, it only covers the middle portion of the Sun and forms a structure like a ring of fire in the sky.

Astrological Significance of Solar Eclipse

Astrologically, Solar Eclipse occurs when the malefic planets, Rahu or Ketu, are positioned with the Sun. It happens usually on Full Moon (Purnima) or No moon day (Amavasya) when the Moon’s latitude is near zero and the Rahu and Ketu are placed in the longitude of the Moon. 

The Sun is the main source of life and in vedic astrology, it signifies good health, wellbeing and vitality. According to the astrologers, the presence of malefic planets and drastic changes of planets during Solar Eclipse affects the natives’s life negatively. Thus, one should refrain from doing any work during Surya Grahan Sutak.

What is Sutak?

Sutak is the in-auspicious time period during the eclipse when one should not start or perform any auspicious work. Solar Eclipse Sutak or Surya Grahan Sutak begins 12 hours before Solar Eclipse and ends after the completion of the Solar Eclipse. 

During Sutak, temples remain closed and no worship, Yagna or Puja is performed. It should be noted that Sutak doesn’t apply to sick people, old or elder natives and small children. 

Sutak Kaal Timings

Begins	21: 15: 58 on 20 June
Ends	15: 04: 01 on 21 June

Do’s and Don’t During Solar Eclipse Sutak

• Do not eat anything during Sutak and Solar Eclipse
• If you are pregnant, do not go outdoors or cut or stitch anything during Solar Eclipse. It is believed that doing it may affect the unborn negatively or cause miscarriage.
• During Surya Grahan, forbid drinking water, using washroom, brushing, combing, oiling or sensual activities.
• Do not see the Solar Eclipse with naked eyes as it may damage your retina and cause complete blindness. Use protective glasses or indirect medium to see the Sun.
• Recite or chant Gayatri mantra and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra during the Sutak. Meditating the name of God during Solar Eclipse Sutak brings positivity and solace in the natives’s mind. 
• Do not use knives, scissors, pins or any sharp edged items.
• Pregnant women, children, sick and old people should eat only one Prahar (3 hours).

Note- Sutak is only applicable if Eclipse is visible at your place.

Solar Eclipse in Different Cities of India

Solar Eclipse Timings vary from place to place. To check Solar Eclipse at your place, see the table below.

Surya Grahan in New Delhi from 10:20 to 13:49

Surya Grahan in Mumbai from 10:01 to 13:28

Surya Grahan in Kolkata from 10:46 to 14:17

Surya Grahan in Chennai from 10:22 to 13:42

Surya grahan citywise	Grahan Start	Grahan End	Grahan Duration	Grahan Type
Ahmedabad	10:04	13:32	03 Hrs 28 Mins	Partial
Surat	10:03	13:31	03 Hrs 28 Mins	Partial
Pune	10:03	13:31	03 Hrs 27 Mins	Partial
Hyderabad	10:15	13:44	03 Hrs 29 Mins	Partial
Jaipur	10:15	13:44	03 Hrs 29 Mins	Partial
Lucknow	10:27	13:59	03 Hrs 32 Mins	Partial
Kanpur	10:25	13:57	03 Hrs 32 Mins	Partial
Nagpur	10:18	13:51	03 Hrs 33 Mins	Partial
Bhopal	10:15	13:47	03 Hrs 32 Mins	Partial
Visakhapatnam	10:30	14:00	03 Hrs 29 Mins	Partial
Patna	10:37	14:10	03 Hrs 32 Mins	Partial
Ludhiana	10:21	13:45	03 Hrs 24 Mins	Partial
Agra	10:20	13:51	03 Hrs 30 Mins	Partial
Dehradun	10:24	13:51	03 Hrs 26 Mins	Annular
Shimla	10:23	13:48	03 Hrs 24 Mins	Partial
Tehri	10:25	13:52	03 Hrs 26 Mins	Annular

What to Do After The Grahan Sutak Ends? 

• Take a bath and wear clean clothes.
• Clean the temples at home with Holy water or Ganagjal.
• Clean your house and sprinkle Gangajal on the Tulsi or Basil plant to purify it.
• Cook fresh food and discard any cooked food present in your kitchen. 
• Food items that cannot be discarded should be protected by adding Tulasi leaves or Kusha grass.
• Remember and pay offerings to ancestors.
• Do charity and offer food to Brahmins and poor or needy people. Donating after Solar Eclipse is considered highly beneficial. 

Gayatri Mantra

Om bhur bhuvaha svaha

Tat savitur varenyam|

Bhargo devasya dhimahi

Dhiyo yonah prachodayat||

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

Aum Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam |

Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan-mrityormuksheeya maamritaat ||