Surya Grahan 2025: Spiritual and Astrological Impacts on Us!

Nature plays a significant role in our festivals. For instance, most of our festivities revolve around seasonal change (Vasant Panchami) and harvesting crops (Baisakhi). Similarly, astronomical activities like eclipse including Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan have their roots in mythology and are believed to have spiritual, astrological and scientific significance.

The eclipse is a natural phenomenon that invokes various stories around it, and the science behind the event helps understand the various physical properties of the eclipse easily. This process creates a perfect window for culture to fit in and inject its beliefs and traditions. With a proper mixture of scientific development and traditional practices, there exists a more meaningful and knowledge-based way of looking at natural occurrences. Therefore, with technological advancement and new ideas of celestial mechanics, the Surya Grahan can invoke a combination of curiosity, wonder and respect, together with scientific interest, amongst humankind.

In this blog, we will discuss in detail Surya Grahan or Solar Eclipse 2025, its dates and timings, significance, the mythological story behind the event and precautions to follow on the occasion.

Surya Grahan Dates in 2025

In 2025, there will be two Surya Grahan, the first one will be on 29th March 2025, Saturday from 03:30 AM to 08:15 AM IST. The moon will pass in front of the sun, directly casting its shadow across the Atlantic Ocean. The partial solar eclipse will be observed in North America, South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Although the solar eclipse will not be visible in India, it is believed to have an astrological and spiritual impact on us. 

The second Solar Eclipse 2025 will be observed on 21st September 2025 from 10:40 AM to 02:55 PM IST. The eclipse will also not be visible from India but will be visible from South America, Africa and parts of Asia.

Mythological Story Behind Surya Grahan

According to ancient Hindu mythology, during the Samudra Manthan or Sagar Manthan, when the gods and demons were churning the ocean for Amrit, a conflict between them occurred. Disguised as Mohini, Lord Vishnu charmed the demons and commenced distributing the Amrit to the Gods. Rahu was not deceived, he sat in between the Sun and the Moon and stretched his hands to receive the Amrit. Unknowingly, Mohini (Lord Vishnu) distributed Amrit to Rahu. It was then that the Sun and the Moon acknowledged him and signalled the same to Lord Vishnu, who beheaded him with his divine discus (Sudarshan Chakra). His head flew and swallowed the Sun, causing an eclipse.

In the astrological story, after the beheading, Rahu and Ketu, the two immortal halves of Rahu, emerged out of his head and body. To reciprocate their punishment, they decided to cast a shadow on the Sun and the Moon, causing a harmful effect. 

The Influence of Surya Grahan 2025

Although the partial Surya Grahan 2025 will not be visible in India, the first eclipse will coincide with the Chaitra Amavasya, which marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and Chaitra Navratri.

The Sutak period, which usually begins 12 hours before the eclipse, will also not be applicable in India. It is believed to be an inauspicious time as the evil powers rule the zodiac signs during the Surya Grahan. 

Scientific and Health Effects of Surya Grahan 

• Eye Protection: Looking at the solar eclipse directly with the naked eye can cause incurable damage to one’s eyesight, and therefore, proper solar viewing glasses or indirect methods of viewing are suggested by experts.
• Temperature Changes: The temperature suddenly drops during an eclipse, exerting a minor influence on the microclimate of the area.
• Psychological Disturbances: There are reports of anxiety or discomfort, sometimes due to the sudden darkening of daylight and the cultural beliefs surrounding the eclipse.

Astrological Influence of Surya Grahan

In Vedic astrology, it is believed that a solar eclipse is one of the major planetary phenomena affecting the zodiac signs in different ways. Most astrologers readily adopt the view that no major decisions should be made, no financial transactions should be conducted, and people should avoid travelling during the eclipse.

It is widely believed that the effect of an eclipse lasts for a couple of weeks or even months, depending on the placement of the planets. 

Customs and Societal Significance of Surya Grahan 2025

• Pregnancy Warning: Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors and avoid using sharp objects during the eclipse so that they do not harm the baby.
• Temples Remain Closed: The majority of local and famous temples in India remain closed during the solar eclipse until they undergo a purification ritual. However, Shiva temples in India remain open as he is considered the god of darkness.
• Community Gatherings: In ancient times, most people kept themselves indoors during the time of an eclipse, but nowadays, many people have been seen observing the phenomena and clicking pictures for their records.

Customs Followed During Surya Grahan

Hindu customs and rituals are carried out because of certain belief during Surya Grahan:

• Fasting and Praying: People observe fast before and during the eclipse so that the body and soul remain purified.
• Mantra Chanting: Chanting the great ‘Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra’ or the ‘Gayatri Mantra’ has established auspiciousness.
• Avoid Food: Whatever is cooked and made before the Surya Grahan is not to be consumed during and after the eclipse. According to Ayurveda, the Grahan’s poisonous rays contaminate the food and slow down digestion.
• Holy Dip: After the event, people take dips in the holy rivers like the Ganga as they are said to wash away the evil energy from the body.
• Staying Awake During the Grahan: People avoid sleeping and stay awake during the event as astrologers believe sleeping during the event can have a bad impact on our health.
• Adding Druva Grass to Water: During the eclipse, people add druva/ tharpa grass to the water and set it away to protect it from the harmful sun rays during the Grahan.

Scientific Awareness Vs. Age-old Superstitions 

Increasing scientific awareness has made the majority of individuals in the country understand that solar eclipses are a natural phenomenon and not to be interpreted from the false perspective of bad luck.  Schools, planetariums and space agencies such as ISRO have worked towards creating awareness about the astronomical phenomenon of Surya Grahan among people. On the other side of it, most traditional superstitions still exist, especially in rural India, where people follow the age-old rituals during the eclipse.

Surya Grahan is an interesting natural phenomenon that brings together science and mythology. Thus, while this is itself a good opportunity for astrophysical observation, it also reflects fundamental spiritual convictions. With scientific progress in India, the balance of traditional practice with scientific knowledge would yield a yet richer and more educated perspective on such natural phenomena. As technology advances and the understanding of celestial mechanics improves, humans can now watch and see Surya Grahan with a combination of interest, awe and scientific inquiry. 

If you wish to witness the event, you can visit a planetarium for stargazing in major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata. You can book affordable hotels in Bangalore and other cities from the Treebo Club’s website or app and experience this rare celestial event with utmost comfort.