New Delhi | Sep 07, 2025 : India is set to witness one of the most spectacular celestial events of the decade as a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon, lights up the night skies on 7–8 September 2025. The eclipse will be visible across the country, including major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Chennai.

Astronomers say this will be the second total lunar eclipse of 2025 and the longest one since 2022, making it a rare opportunity for skywatchers and spiritual observers alike.

Timings of the Lunar Eclipse in India

According to the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, the lunar eclipse in India will unfold over several stages, lasting nearly five and a half hours from beginning to end.

Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 8:58 PM IST, September 7

Partial Eclipse Begins: 9:57 PM IST, September 7

Total Eclipse (Blood Moon) Begins: 11:00 PM IST, September 7

Maximum Eclipse: 11:41 PM IST, September 7

Total Eclipse Ends: 12:22 AM IST, September 8

Partial Eclipse Ends: 1:26 AM IST, September 8

Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 2:25 AM IST, September 8

The totality phase—when the Moon turns its iconic deep red—will last for 82 minutes, from 11:00 PM to 12:22 AM.

What is a Blood Moon?

A Blood Moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the Earth positions itself directly between the Sun and the Moon. As Earth blocks direct sunlight, its atmosphere filters the light, scattering shorter blue wavelengths and allowing only longer red wavelengths to reach the Moon. This effect, called Rayleigh scattering, bathes the lunar surface in shades of red and orange.

The exact color depends on dust, pollution, and atmospheric conditions. With relatively clear skies predicted across India, astronomers expect this Blood Moon to appear in a bright coppery-red hue.

Where to Watch the Eclipse in India

The Blood Moon will be visible from anywhere in India under clear skies, but some spots promise breathtaking views.

Mumbai: Marine Drive, Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Bengaluru: Hebbal Lake, Turahalli Forest

Hyderabad: Necklace Road, Shamshabad fields

Delhi: India Gate lawns, Lodhi Garden

Chennai: Marina Beach, Elliot’s Beach

Since the Moon will be high overhead during totality, any open area away from city lights is ideal.

Safe Viewing and Photography Tips

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to watch with the naked eye. No protective glasses are required. For the best experience:

Carry binoculars or a telescope to view lunar craters during the red glow.

Use a tripod and long exposure (1–2 seconds) for photography.

Smartphone users can increase ISO to 400–800 and zoom in during maximum totality.

Apps like PhotoPills can help frame the Moon against city skylines.

Global Visibility of the Eclipse

The September 2025 lunar eclipse is visible across Asia, Western Australia, East Africa, and parts of Europe, covering nearly 85% of the world’s population. Major global timings include:

London: 7:30 PM – 7:52 PM (Sept 7)

Paris: 7:30 PM – 8:52 PM (Sept 7)

Tehran: 9:00 PM – 10:22 PM (Sept 7)

Mumbai: 11:00 PM – 12:22 AM (Sept 7–8)

Beijing: 1:30 AM – 2:52 AM (Sept 8)

Sydney: 3:30 AM – 4:52 AM (Sept 8)

Spiritual and Cultural Significance

The September 2025 Blood Moon coincides with the first day of Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period in Hindu tradition dedicated to honoring ancestors. Many temples across India, including those in Varanasi and Ayodhya, will close early for bhog and aarti due to the eclipse.

Hindu customs attach great importance to the Sutak Kaal, an inauspicious period that begins nine hours before the eclipse. During this time, devotees avoid eating, cooking, and performing auspicious rituals. Instead, prayers, fasting, and offerings to ancestors are observed.

Astrologers believe that this eclipse, paired with a partial solar eclipse on September 21, carries significant cosmic weight, symbolizing transformation and spiritual cleansing.

Why This Eclipse is Special

Tonight’s event is not just a Blood Moon—it’s also a Supermoon eclipse. Since the Moon is at perigee (closest to Earth), it will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. This rare combination of a Super Blood Moon has not been seen in India since 2015.

Adding to the rarity, this eclipse is part of a tetrad—four total lunar eclipses occurring in two years. The next total lunar eclipse visible in India will not arrive until March 2026.

From Mumbai’s coastline to Bengaluru’s lakeside, millions of Indians are expected to look up tonight as the Moon blushes red in the sky. Whether you watch for science, spirituality, or sheer spectacle, the September 2025 Blood Moon promises to be an unforgettable celestial event—uniting skywatchers across the nation under one glowing red Moon.