Total Lunar Eclipse

The 15th day of the month of Magha shukla paksha dated 31.01.2018, Wednesday is a total lunar eclipse. In Bharata, on this day, the far eastern states and northeastern states wherein the moonrise occurs at 5.17 p.m., will be the ones to witness the eclipse in its entirety from the onset, progress to the waning. In all other parts of Bharata, the rising of the already eclipsed moon can be witnessed. It means, the moonrise happens after the eclipse has set in. In these parts, the moonrise happens after the total eclipse has begun.

Details of the eclipse from the onset to the recession: Inertia 4:20 p.m. Onset of the eclipse 5:17 p.m. Total alignment of the eclipse : 6:21 p.m. Moon-rise at Udupi 6:28 p.m. Middle of the eclipse 7:00 p.m. Nonalignment of the eclipse 7:39 p.m. Recession of the eclipse 8:43 p.m. End of inertia 9:40 p.m. Duration of the total eclipse is 3 hours 26 minutes Duration of the eclipse in our region is 2 hours 15 minutes.

The moon will be eclipsed by rahu in pushya – ashlesha nakshatra karkata rashi. The onset happens during pushya nakshatra while the alignment-nonalignment-recession takes place during ashlesha nakshatra. This eclipse is detrimental to those born in these nakshatras and rashi along with simha-dhanu-kumbha. Poornima shraddha must be performed the following day. Seers must observe fasting on 31-01-2018.

During a lunar eclipse wherein the moonrise occurs with the eclipse already in progress, meal through the day is prohibited by the scriptures and hence it should be avoided. This rule does not apply to children and old and sick persons.

The entire duration of the eclipse is considered a meritorious period. It is advised one bathe at the beginning of the eclipse, offer prayers and engage in chanting and reading religious texts till the recession of the eclipse. Thereafter one must bathe again.

Certain changes will be effected in the worship timings at Shri Krishna Matha on 31.01.2018 due to the lunar eclipse wherein the moonrise will occur with the eclipse in progress.