Total Lunar Eclipse March 3, 2026 (Chandra Grahan): Timings, Visibility & Vedic Astrology Effects for Nepal, India & Asia
Author
Digital Karmakanda
Date Published
A Total Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) will occur on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The Moon passes completely through Earth's shadow and turns a deep blood red—giving it the popular name Blood Moon.
This is rare. According to NASA, this is the last total lunar eclipse visible until late 2028—making tonight a sky event you genuinely should not miss.
- Eclipse magnitude: 1.155 (deep total eclipse)
- Duration of totality: ~57 minutes
- Full Moon in Leo (Simha Rashi)—Purva Phalguni Nakshatra
Eclipse Timings for Nepal (NPT—UTC+5:45)
Eclipse Phase | Nepal Time (NPT) |
|---|---|
Penumbral Eclipse Begins | 2:31 PM |
Umbral (Partial) Eclipse Begins | 3:36 PM |
Total Eclipse Begins | 4:50 PM |
Maximum Eclipse | 5:19 PM |
Total Eclipse Ends | 5:48 PM |
Umbral Eclipse Ends | 7:01 PM |
Penumbra Eclipse Ends | 8:07 PM |
🌕 Moonrise in Kathmandu | ~6:08 PM |
Nepal Special View: The Moon rises at around 6:08 PM — right during the final stage of totality. You will see the Moon appear on the eastern horizon already glowing deep red. Step outside just after 6 PM, look east, and you will catch the Blood Moon rising. This is a rare and stunning sight.
Eclipse Timings for India (IST—UTC+5:30)
Eclipse Phase | India Time (IST) |
|---|---|
Umbral Eclipse Begins | 3:05 PM (below horizon) |
Total Eclipse Begins | 4:05 PM (below horizon) |
Maximum Eclipse | 5:04 PM (below horizon) |
🌕 Moonrise (most cities) | ~6:10–6:30 PM |
Visible partial phase ends | 6:48 PM IST |
For most of India: Totality happens before moonrise, so you will not see the full Blood Moon. However you will see the Moon rise already partially eclipsed — still a meaningful and beautiful sight.
Exception — North-East India: Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will see the Moon rise while still in totality — a genuine Blood Moon sighting from Indian soil.
Visibility Across Asia & Asia-Pacific
Region | What You Will See |
|---|---|
🇳🇵 Nepal | The moon rises in final totality—a blood moon on the horizon. |
🇮🇳 North-East India | Moon rises in totality—Blood Moon visible |
🇮🇳 Rest of India / 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Late partial phase only after moonrise |
🇯🇵 Japan / 🇰🇷 South Korea | Full totality visible—excellent view |
🇨🇳 China (Eastern) | The moon rises during the eclipse—partial to full totality |
🇹🇭 Thailand / 🇻🇳 Vietnam / 🇵🇭 Philippines / 🇮🇩 Indonesia | The moon rises near end of totality |
🇦🇺 Australia / 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Full eclipse visible—one of the best locations |
🇵🇰 Pakistan / 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Partial phase only |
Middle East | Not visible |
How to Watch—No Equipment Needed
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye. No glasses required.
- Find an open area with a clear view of the eastern horizon
- Step outside just after sunset around 6:00–6:15 PM local time
- Binoculars will bring out beautiful reddish-orange detail on the Moon's surface
- Avoid city light pollution if possible for the best view
If the sky is cloudy, watch a live stream at TimeandDate.com or via NASA's official channels.
Vedic Astrology: What This Eclipse Means
Planetary Position at the Time of Eclipse
- Moon + Ketu → Leo (Simha Rashi), Purva Phalguni Nakshatra
- Sun + Rahu + Mars + Mercury → Aquarius (Kumbha Rashi)
- Venus → Pisces (its exaltation sign—strong and positive energy)
- Saturn → Pisces
- Jupiter → Gemini (aspecting Aquarius axis)
The Leo–Aquarius axis is fully activated, bringing themes of personal identity, creative expression, ego, and collective responsibility into sharp karmic focus. This connects directly to the broader patterns in our 2026 Astrological Transitions and Predictions guide.
Mercury is still retrograde in Aquarius during this eclipse—avoid signing contracts, launching new ventures, or making major decisions in the days immediately surrounding this event. Understand Mercury's full role in your chart through our Mercury in 12 Houses guide.
Sutak Kaal: Timings and Rules
In Hindu tradition, the Sutak period begins 9 hours before a lunar eclipse.
Location | Sutak Begins | Sutak Ends |
|---|---|---|
Nepal (NPT) | ~9:19 AM, March 3 | After eclipse ends ~8:07 PM |
India (IST) | ~8:48 AM, March 3 | After eclipse ends ~7:36 PM |
What to avoid during Sutak:
- Eating food cooked during the Sutak period (place Tulsi leaves in stored food to purify it)
- Starting any new or auspicious work
- Sleeping
- Pregnant women should avoid going outside and using sharp objects
What to do during this time:
- Chant the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra or Vishnu Sahasranama
- Meditate and observe inner calm
- After eclipse ends, take a bath, then donate rice, milk, or silver items as charity
Effects of March 3, 2026 Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) on All 12 Zodiac Signs
This eclipse on the Leo–Aquarius axis most intensely affects these four signs:
Zodiac Sign | Eclipse Impact Area | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
♈ Aries (Mesh) | Career & public image | A sudden shift in your professional life is possible—unexpected recognition or an abrupt change in your work direction. Be patient and avoid impulsive career decisions around this time. |
♉ Taurus (Vrish) | Higher learning, beliefs & long journeys | Old belief systems and philosophies you have held for years may be challenged now. If travel or education plans are in motion, expect delays or sudden changes in direction. |
♊ Gemini (Mithun) | Shared resources, debts & transformation | Financial matters tied to partnerships, joint investments, or inheritance may come to a head—unresolved money issues with others demand your attention now. |
♋ Cancer (Karka) | Relationships & partnerships | A key personal or business relationship reaches a turning point—some bonds will deepen and strengthen, while others that no longer serve you may naturally come to an end. |
♌ Leo (Simha) ⚡ Most Affected | Health, daily routine & self-identity | The eclipse falls directly in your sign, making this an intense period of personal reset—your sense of self, physical well-being, and daily habits are all under transformation, and what is not working will be forcefully removed. |
♍ Virgo (Kanya) | Creativity, children & romance | Matters of the heart, creative projects, and relationships with children may face unexpected emotional turbulence—this is a good time to release creative blocks and let go of romantic situations that have been draining your energy. Virgo 2026 Horoscope |
♎ Libra (Tula) | Home, family & emotional roots | Domestic life and family relationships come under the eclipse's spotlight—unresolved emotional tensions at home or with parents may finally surface and demand honest conversation and resolution. |
♏ Scorpio (Vrishchik) | Communication, siblings & short travel | Important conversations you have been avoiding can no longer be postponed—misunderstandings with siblings, neighbors, or close contacts may reach a boiling point and need to be addressed directly. |
♐ Sagittarius (Dhanu) | Income, possessions & self-worth | Your financial stability and relationship with material security are being tested—unexpected expenses or income disruptions may arise, pushing you to reassess your true values and spending habits. |
♑ Capricorn (Makar) | Self, appearance & new beginnings | A powerful personal reinvention is underway—the way you present yourself to the world, your physical appearance, and your overall sense of direction in life are all being shaken and reshaped by this eclipse. |
♒ Aquarius (Kumbha) ⚡ Most Affected | Hidden fears, losses & spiritual growth | The eclipse directly opposes your sign, shining a bright light on subconscious fears, hidden enemies, and patterns of self-sabotage—this is a deeply spiritual eclipse for you that calls for solitude, reflection, and surrender. |
♓ Pisces (Meen) | Social circle, gains & future goals | Friendships and group associations that no longer align with your growth will naturally fall away now—at the same time, new and meaningful connections that support your long-term goals are beginning to form. |
⚡ Most intensely affected: Leo and Aquarius, as the eclipse falls directly on their axis. Taurus and Scorpio also feel strong secondary effects as they form a square to this axis.
For your complete sign-by-sign forecast, visit our 2026 Horoscope section.
Connection to Saturn Retrograde 2026
This eclipse season is directly linked to the upcoming Saturn Retrograde in Aries 2026. Both events are surfacing deep karmic themes of accountability and long-overdue life changes. Pay close attention to what emotions and situations rise up around tonight's eclipse, they are very likely part of a bigger Saturn-driven life lesson that will unfold through mid-2026.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Type | Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon) |
Date | March 3, 2026 |
Moon Sign (Vedic) | Leo / Simha—Purva Phalguni Nakshatra |
Totality Duration | ~57 minutes |
Best Visibility | Nepal, NE India, East/SE Asia, Australia |
Safe to Watch? | Yes—no glasses needed |
Next Total Lunar Eclipse | December 31, 2028 |
Final Thoughts
Tonight's Blood Moon is one of the most significant sky events of 2026. Whether you are watching from a rooftop in Kathmandu, the hills of Assam, or across Southeast Asia—take a moment to step outside, look east after sunset, and witness the moon glow red on the horizon.
Astronomically, it is breathtaking. Astrologically it marks a powerful point of karmic completion on the Leo–Aquarius axis. Observe the Sutak if you follow tradition, set your intentions, and let this rare celestial moment remind you of the larger cosmic cycles at work in your life.
For personalized Vedic astrology guidance during this eclipse period, explore our online Vedic astrology consultation service.
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