Lunar eclipse sparks Holi shift: Sutak period alters festival date

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): There is a lot of confusion among people this year regarding the holy festival of Holi. Usually, Holi of colors is played the very next day after Holika Dahan, but in the year 2026, due to astronomical events, there will be a slight change in this ancient tradition. According to astrological calculations, this time Holika Dahan will be done on March 2, 2026, but the very next day, i.e. on March 3, the first lunar eclipse of the year is going to take place. Due to this eclipse and its Sutak period, worship and playing with colors are considered prohibited on March 3.

According to the calendar, Holika Dahan will be performed with full rituals on the night of March 2nd. Since a lunar eclipse is occurring the following day, March 3rd, astrologers have declared it inappropriate to play with colors during the eclipse's Sutak period. Following the Sutak rules, it is advised to avoid any auspicious work or worship on this day. Therefore, this year, this grand festival of colors will be celebrated with full enthusiasm, albeit a day late, on March 4th.

The second solar eclipse of 2026 will not affect India.

In addition to the lunar eclipse, people are also very curious about this year's solar eclipse. According to astronomy experts, there will be two solar eclipses in 2026, the first of which occurred on February 17th. The second solar eclipse of the year is scheduled for August 12th, 2026. However, this solar eclipse will not be visible in India. It will be visible primarily in the skies of Europe, Canada, and Greenland. Due to its invisibility in India, the Sutak period will not be valid here, and there will be no restrictions on any religious or auspicious activities.

The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century will occur in 2027.

Dispelling the rumors circulating on social media about the 2026 solar eclipse, experts have clarified that the "longest solar eclipse of the century" will occur not this year, but in 2027. This historic astronomical event will occur on August 2, 2027, and is considered the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century. This eclipse will last approximately 6 minutes and 22 seconds, and an eclipse of this length will not be seen again until 2114. This partial solar eclipse will be visible in almost all states of India, including Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Therefore, the Sutak period will be fully observed across the country, and due to the brief darkness that day, a spectacular night-like sight will be witnessed.

Meaning of eclipse from scientific and religious perspective

According to astronomy, a solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the Moon comes exactly between the Earth and the Sun. This celestial event always occurs on the new moon day. Meanwhile, Hindu mythology and beliefs link eclipses directly to the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu. According to religious beliefs, an eclipse is the event when Rahu and Ketu engulf the Sun and Moon.