Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) is a stage of Moon’s cycle, where the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun. Lunar eclipse occurs at a moment when the Moon, Sun and Earth are absolutely aligned, or reach nearer, with the Earth in the middle of the three. Then the Moon comes across through some part of the Earth’s shadow and darkens the planet Moon. Usually, Lunar eclipse occurs on the Full Moon Day (Purnima).
There is a partial lunar eclipse on December 31,2009 (for those in South Africa, Europe, and Gulf Countries)/ January 1, 2010 (for those living in India and other Eastern countries).
There is a partial lunar eclipse on December 31,2009 (for those in South Africa, Europe, and Gulf Countries)/ January 1, 2010 (for those living in India and other Eastern countries).
The eclipse will be visible in the region covering Alaska, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Europe and parts of Asia - including India.
The eclipse begins at 22 mins. past midnight (00-22 hours on January 1, 2010 for those in India) and ends at 1-24 a.m. (I.S.T.). You may calculate the respective time for your places based on this and observe the eclipse-related austerities.
As this is a chandra-grahanam, it is customary to offer oblations to pitrus (tarpanam done by those who have lost parents) around the time of ending of eclipse.
Those born in the stars Arudra, Swathi, Satabisha, Mrigasira, and Punarvasu, and living in regions of visibility of the eclipse should perform eclipse remedies .
Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse which will take place on December 31, 2009 will be visible in many regions in India. The Grahan will begin at 22:45 hrs on December 31, 2009 and end at 03:00 am on 1 January, 2010. This Grahan will be the Pakshik Chandra Grahan or Partial Lunar Eclipse.
Time or Timing of Chandra Grahan in various cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Madurai, of South India:
Bangalore (Karnataka):
Chandra Grahan starts at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandra Grahan ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Chennai (Tamil Nadu):
Chandra Grahanam starting time – 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandra Grahanam ending time – 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh):
Lunar Eclipse begins at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Lunar Eclipse ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Mysore & Mangalore (Karnataka):
Chandragrahan starts at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandragrahan ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Vijayawada & Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh):
Lunar Eclipse begins at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Lunar Eclipse ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Madurai & Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu):
Chandragrahan starts at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandragrahan ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Trivandrum & Kochi or Cochin (Kerala):
Chandra Grahan starting time 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandra Grahan ending time 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Effects of Lunar Eclipse:
Bangalore (Karnataka):
Chandra Grahan starts at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandra Grahan ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Chennai (Tamil Nadu):
Chandra Grahanam starting time – 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandra Grahanam ending time – 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh):
Lunar Eclipse begins at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Lunar Eclipse ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Mysore & Mangalore (Karnataka):
Chandragrahan starts at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandragrahan ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Vijayawada & Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh):
Lunar Eclipse begins at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Lunar Eclipse ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Madurai & Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu):
Chandragrahan starts at 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandragrahan ends at 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Trivandrum & Kochi or Cochin (Kerala):
Chandra Grahan starting time 10.45 in the night on 31 December 2009
Chandra Grahan ending time 3.00 early morning on 1 January, 2010
Effects of Lunar Eclipse:
Usually, the Lunar Eclipse has been quoted as a bad omen. As per the Hindu astrology or mythology, Moon administrates the personal and domestic issues – the social and psychological behavior. Moon does not affect the administration part, rulers, politics or the government of a country or the society. Lunar Eclipse affects more on individual side.
Moon Cycle – Effects on Women and Domestic Side:
Lunar cycle predominantly impacts women and domestic issues. Only the private issues are affected with Chandra Grahan.
Other general suggestions to be observed by everyone:
1) Avoid eating solid foods after sunset on December 31, 2009 (approx. 6 hours before partial eclipse begins).
2) Take a bath after the end of eclipse; those who are unable to take bath at midnight due to health reasons should take bath first thing in the morning even before their morning-coffee. The bed materials should be washed the very next morning for ritual purity reasons.
3) Put Tulsi leaf/ dharbha grass on stored food-items including curd, jams, pickles, etc.
4) Engage in spiritual/ contemplative/ academic activities and derive the benefit of the enhanced mental focus levels during the duration of eclipse.
Dates of Lunar Eclipses (Chandra Grahans) – From 2009 to 2012 and Zodiac Signs (Lagnas) of the Eclipses:
31st December, Thursday, 2009 – Cancer (Karkataka raasi)
26th June, 2010 – Capricorn (Mesha raashi)
21st December, 2010 – Gemini (Midhuna raasi)
15th June, 2011 – Sagittarius (Dhanu raashi)
10th December, 2011 – Gemini (Midhuna rashi)
4th June, 2012 – Sagittarius (Dhanussu raasi)
28th November, 2012 – Gemini (Midhuna raasi)
