Surya Grahan 2026: Solar Eclipse Timing Today, Visibility in India
Digital desk
The second and final solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on Wednesday, August 12, with the celestial event beginning at 9:04 PM IST. The eclipse will continue into the early hours of August 13, reaching its peak at 11:16 PMand ending at 1:27 AM.
The August 12 eclipse is a total solar eclipse, meaning the Moon will completely cover the Sun along the narrow path of totality. However, skywatchers in India will not be able to see the eclipse because it will occur below the Indian horizon during the relevant period.
Solar Eclipse Timing in India
According to the timings reported for the event, the eclipse will begin at 9:04 PM on August 12 according to Indian Standard Time.
The key timings are:
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Eclipse begins: 9:04 PM, August 12
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Peak of eclipse: 11:16 PM, August 12
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Eclipse ends: 1:27 AM, August 13
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Total duration: Around 4 hours 23 minutes
The global astronomical timings place the beginning of the partial eclipse at around 15:34 UTC, with the maximum eclipse occurring at approximately 17:46 UTC. (Time and Date)
Will India See the Eclipse?
No. The August 12 solar eclipse will not be visible from India.
The eclipse's visibility path is concentrated across parts of the Arctic region, Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain and Portugal, while a partial eclipse will be visible from much of Europe and parts of North America and northwestern Africa.
Since the Sun will not be above the horizon in India during the relevant phase, people across Indian cities will not be able to observe the phenomenon directly.
Why Is This Eclipse Special?
The August 12 event is significant because it is a total solar eclipse, one of the most striking astronomical events visible from Earth.
During totality, the Moon moves directly between the Earth and Sun and completely blocks the Sun's bright disk for observers located within the path of totality. This can cause daytime darkness for a short period and make the solar corona visible.
NASA has also announced coverage of the eclipse for people outside the visibility path. Its official broadcast is scheduled to begin on August 12, allowing viewers worldwide to follow the event remotely.
Eclipse and Religious Beliefs in India
The eclipse coincides with Hariyali Amavasya, the new moon day observed during the Shravan month. This has also generated interest from a religious and astrology perspective.
According to reports based on traditional Hindu practices, because the eclipse will not be visible in India, Sutak Kaal is not considered applicable in India for this particular event.
The scientific phenomenon and religious interpretations are separate matters. The eclipse itself is caused by the Moon passing between the Earth and the Sun, while Sutak-related practices are based on traditional religious beliefs.
Where Can the Eclipse Be Watched?
The total phase will be visible along a relatively narrow path. Spain is expected to be among the major locations offering a prominent view, while Iceland and Greenland will also fall within the broader path of totality. Parts of Europe will experience a partial eclipse.
For people in India, the safest option is to watch an official livestream rather than attempting to observe the Sun directly.
Safety Precautions
Anyone observing a solar eclipse from a location where it is visible should never look directly at the Sun without proper solar viewing protection. Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient to protect the eyes.
The Royal Museums Greenwich advises using certified eclipse glasses, a properly filtered solar telescope or safe projection methods.
For Indian viewers, who will not see the eclipse locally, an official online broadcast is the simplest way to follow the event.
The August 12 solar eclipse will therefore be a major astronomical spectacle for observers in its visibility zone, while in India the event will remain invisible despite occurring during the night in Indian Standard Time.
