One of the most important Surya Grahan of 2025 is here. In India the event holds great significance as a number of religious and astronomical beliefs are attached to it and hence people look forward to it as a very special occasion. It’s just been a few months since 2025 began, and the very first solar eclipse of the year is all set to take place on March 29. For the unversed, a solar eclipse takes place when the Moon comes in between the Sun and the Earth, and all three align perfectly in a straight line. Thus, the Sun is covered by the Moon, and this leads to beautiful visuals in the sky. However, as the name suggests, in a partial solar eclipse the Moon cover the Sun only partially, and this creates a beautiful crescent-shaped spectacle in the sky.
While that’s the science behind a solar eclipse, this celestial event also has significance in Vedic astrology, wherein it is called the Surya Grahan. According to Vedic astrology, the Surya Grahan time isn’t considered auspicious, and people are told to refrain from eating and drinking. Some people shower after the eclipse to cleanse themselves, some throw Gangajal over their homes to clean the negative effects, in fact, some even prepare food well in advance so that nothing has to be cooked or consumed during the Grahan time.
And to negate any effects of the Grahan, people meditate during this time, chant the name of God, or even engage in Mala jaap till it is over.
Solar Eclipse 2025: When and where to see, visibility in India
As per NASA, the partial solar eclipse which is set to happen on March 29 this year will be visible in Europe, Northwestern Africa, Greenland, Iceland, and some parts of the northeastern US, and eastern Canada. However, the partial solar eclipse won’t be visible from India. Due to changes in timings and the time gap, the eclipse sun will be visible from only certain parts of the world, and according to some reports, even from some parts of Asia.
In Indian time, the partial solar eclipse will start at 2:21 PM and conclude at 6:14 PM, reaching its peak at 4:17 PM. Lasting a total of 3 hours and 53 minutes globally, the eclipse will not be visible in India. This is due to the moon’s shadow not passing over the country during the event. And as the pictures of the Solar eclipse are out, people cant help but be in awe of nature and the celestial bodies.
Meanwhile, in the US, the partial solar eclipse on March 29 is set to begin at 4:50 am EDT. At 6:47 am EDT, the partial solar eclipse is set to peak, and it will end at 8:43 am EDT. As per USA Today, here are some of the US states where the partial solar eclipse will appear properly:
New York – 6:35 am to 7:12 am
Pennsylvania – 6:46 am to 7:08 am
New Jersey – 6:43 am to 7:06 am
Virginia – 6:50 am to 7:03 am
The partial solar eclipse of March 29 will also be visible in some parts of Europe, and the times are: the partial solar eclipse will begin around 10 am GMT and end at roughly 12 noon. As per Live Science, its peak will be at roughly 11:03 am GMT.
Safety tips on how to watch the solar eclipse
1. Use proper eye protection
– Always wear ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses to view the eclipse directly.
– Regular sunglasses, even dark ones, are not safe for viewing the sun.
2. Avoid viewing directly without eye protection
– Looking at the sun without proper eye gear can cause permanent eye damage or blindness (solar retinopathy).
– Even a few seconds of exposure can be harmful.
3. Use safe viewing methods
– Try a pinhole projector: Make a small hole in a piece of cardboard and project the sun’s image onto another surface.
– Use a solar filter on telescopes, binoculars, or cameras—never look directly through them without protection.
4. Avoid DIY or unsafe filters
Do not use X-ray films, CDs, DVDs, or tinted glass, as they do not block harmful radiation.
5. Watch online or on the TV
If you don’t have proper gear, watch live streams from space agencies and observatories to enjoy the event safely. There are numerous Instagram pages and Live streaming channels that show the Solar eclipse in its full glory, so tune in to any of those for the perfect viewing experience without any negative effects.