Chandra Grahan 2026: When and Where to Watch the Total Lunar Eclipse in India Today

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A spectacular total lunar eclipse, also known as a “Blood Moon,” is taking place today, 3 March 2026. For skywatchers in India, the event coincides with the Holi festival, offering a rare celestial backdrop to the celebration.

This eclipse will offer a brief but rare 15-minute window to witness the moon’s coppery-red glow before the phenomenon concludes at 6:47 PM.

A Rare ‘Holi Moon’ Across the Horizon


A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s darkest shadow. In India, the Moon will already be eclipsed when it first appears in the sky, which means you will see a ‘rising red moon’ instead of a bright white one.  Astronomers say this is a rare sight to see during the sunset hours.

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"From India, only the final phases of the lunar eclipse will be visible as the Moon rises," says Dr. Debiprosad Duari, former Director of the MP Birla Planetarium, in a report by The News Mill.

Cities in Northeast India, like Guwahati, will see the moon earlier than others. In places like Delhi and Mumbai, the timing is much tighter. The ‘Blood Moon’ occurs when Earth’s air bends red sunlight toward the Moon. It is basically the light of every sunrise and sunset on Earth hitting the Moon at once.

Capturing the Chandra Grahan 2026 Today Timings


As the Moon will be low in the sky during the Chandra Grahan timings, your phone's auto-mode might make it look like a blurry white dot. So, to capture the moon clearly, you need to select appropriate camera settings before the moonrise begins.

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"Adjust the focus until it's sharp as a tack — blurry totality images are so common and so disappointing," warns Space.com in their technical guide for the 2026 eclipse.

If you are using a smartphone, avoid using the zoom feature. Instead, put your phone on a tripod or lean it against a wall. Then tap the Moon on your screen to lock the focus and slide the brightness bar down until the Moon looks deep red.

Scientists use these events to study how much dust and pollution is in our sky. A darker red moon usually means there is more dust in the air. For everyone else, it is a chance to see a rare space event.

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