Two solar eclipses bookend 2025’s sky calendar, but viewers in India won’t catch either one from their rooftops. The first arrives on March 29 and the second on September 21–22 (IST). Both are significant for skywatchers worldwide and, for many families in India, carry cultural meaning—especially the September date during Pitru Paksha. If you’re tracking the solar eclipse 2025 schedule, here’s the full breakdown, with timings, visibility, and what it means for religious observance and safe viewing.
Key dates, timings and where each eclipse will be seen
1) Saturday, March 29, 2025
Duration across the globe: about 3 hours 53 minutes from first to last contact.
- India (IST): Start 2:20 PM, Peak 4:17 PM, End 6:14 PM
- US Eastern time (ET): Start 4:50 AM, Maximum 6:47 AM, End 8:43 AM
Visibility: Not visible from India. The Moon’s shadow will miss the subcontinent. The event will be seen across northeastern Canada and parts of the northeastern United States, including major cities such as New York and Boston. Europe will get varying degrees of coverage, with northern Africa and portions of Asia and South America also seeing a partial event depending on location. Weather, as always, will decide how much those regions actually get to see.
What to expect: The exact look—how much of the Sun is covered—depends on where you are within the viewing zone. People closer to the center of the Moon’s shadow see a deeper bite out of the Sun; those nearer the edges see a smaller notch. Because India is outside the footprint, local daylight and routines continue as normal with no sky change visible.
2) Sunday–Monday, September 21–22, 2025 (IST)
- India (IST): Starts 11:00 PM on Sep 21, ends 3:23 AM on Sep 22
Visibility: Again, not visible from India. This eclipse favors the southern hemisphere, including New Zealand and Fiji, stretches of Antarctica, and southern parts of Australia. If you’re traveling in those regions, check local predictions for the exact percentage of the Sun that will be covered and the best time to look up (with proper eye protection).
What to expect: For viewers in those southern regions, the September event unfolds late at night to early morning local time. As with all solar eclipses, the specific depth and duration of the Sun’s coverage change city by city. Local meteorological forecasts matter—clear skies are everything.
What this means for India: Since neither eclipse is visible from India, there will be no change in daylight, and there’s no need to adjust daily schedules around the events. For those keen on the science, live broadcasts from the visibility zones will be the best option to follow the shadow in real time.
Cultural context, Sutak Kaal, and how to watch safely
September’s eclipse lands during Pitru Paksha—a fortnight many households set aside for remembering ancestors. In 2025, a lunar eclipse falls on September 7 and the solar eclipse comes on September 21–22, meaning this observance period both opens and closes with eclipses. That lineup is drawing extra attention from families who observe rituals during this time.
Sutak Kaal: In India, Sutak is observed only when an eclipse is visible locally. Because neither 2025 solar eclipse is visible from Indian territory, Sutak Kaal won’t apply this year for solar eclipses. Temples and households that follow Sutak rules typically begin restrictions hours before an eclipse, but those rules are tied to actual visibility over the region.
Astrological note: For followers of astrology, the September eclipse is associated with Ashwin Krishna Paksha Amavasya, in Virgo (Kanya Rashi) under Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra. Astrologers are flagging the following placements around the eclipse window: Sun, Moon, and Mercury in Virgo; Saturn casting a direct aspect from Pisces; Mars in Libra; Rahu in Aquarius; Jupiter in Capricorn; Venus with Ketu in Leo. Different traditions interpret these patterns in different ways. From a scientific standpoint, these alignments do not change the mechanics of the eclipse, which are governed by the Moon’s orbit and geometry.
Solar vs. lunar eclipses—quick refresher: A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on parts of the Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon, darkening the Moon. Whether you can see either one depends entirely on where the shadows fall and what time they pass your location.
Why India misses out in 2025: The Moon’s shadow is narrow and sweeps a specific track across the globe. This year, both tracks steer clear of India. That’s normal—most eclipses are only visible from limited swaths of Earth. If you’re in India and want to experience one in person, planning future travel to a path of visibility is the surest bet.
How to follow the eclipses if you’re in India:
- Lean on reputable live broadcasts from the regions where the shadow falls. Many observatories and science groups stream multiple camera angles and real-time commentary.
- Use planetarium apps to map the eclipse path and timing in cities you care about (friends and family abroad, or future travel targets).
- If you’re traveling to a viewing zone, check local weather averages for the season and have a backup site within a short drive.
Eye safety—non-negotiable:
- Never look at the Sun with the naked eye, sunglasses, or improvised filters. Regular sunglasses are not safe for solar viewing.
- Use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Inspect for scratches and pinholes before use.
- For cameras, binoculars, or telescopes, attach a proper solar filter on the front end of the optics. Do not look through any magnifying device without a certified solar filter.
- Consider indirect methods such as pinhole projection or a solar projection screen if you don’t have filters.
- Supervise children closely; hand them a viewer only after you’ve checked it yourself.
Travelers’ checklist for those heading to view the March or September events abroad:
- Confirm the local start, peak, and end times for the exact city or park where you’ll be standing. A few kilometers can shift timing and depth of coverage.
- Pack certified solar glasses, a spare pair, and, if using optics, proper full-aperture solar filters.
- Prepare for weather: hat, sunscreen, water, warm layers if you’re in southern latitudes or near Antarctic air masses.
- Arrive early to avoid traffic and to test your gear. Practice focusing your camera on the Sun a day or two before the event using a safe filter.
The bottom line for India in 2025: two solar eclipses on the calendar, neither visible from the subcontinent. No Sutak Kaal for either. If you’re curious, you can still enjoy every phase from afar via broadcasts and data visualizations, and use the year to learn more about eclipse mechanics, plan a future trip to a path of visibility, or get your safe-viewing kit ready for the next opportunity.
