The world will witness the last solar eclipse on September 21, 2025, a celestial event popularly known in India as Surya Grahan. This will be a partial solar eclipse, meaning the Moon will cover only a portion of the Sun’s disc and not obscure it completely. The eclipse will occur at a time when India will already be in darkness, and therefore it will not be visible across the country. According to astronomical calculations, the event will begin at 10:59 PM (Indian Standard Time) on September 21, reach its maximum phase at 1:11 AM IST on September 22, and end around 3:23 AM IST. Though skywatchers in India will miss this spectacle, it will be visible across large parts of the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and several Pacific islands.
From a scientific perspective, the September 2025 Surya Grahan is a significant opportunity to study the Sun’s corona and the interplay between the Earth, Moon and Sun. While partial eclipses do not create the same dramatic darkness as total eclipses, they still provide researchers with valuable data on solar radiation, atmospheric changes, and animal behaviour patterns. Astronomers point out that the precision with which eclipses can be predicted highlights the exactness of celestial mechanics and the way orbital paths align periodically.
Will it be visible in India?
In India and much of Asia, Europe and North America, the eclipse will not be visible, and thus no Sutak period (the period of ritual abstinence observed before and during an eclipse) will apply. This is because traditional Hindu guidelines state that Sutak is observed only where the eclipse is physically visible. However, the timing of this Surya Grahan coincides with an important period in the Hindu calendar—Pitru Paksha, which is dedicated to paying homage to ancestors. The day of the eclipse falls on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the concluding day of the fortnight-long ritual period. Even though the eclipse will not be seen in India, some astrologers and priests are advising people to continue their offerings and prayers as per local customs.
Solar eclipse to coincide with pitru paksha
On 21 September 2025, solar eclipse of the year and it will coincide with Sarva Pitru paksha amavasya, the concluding day of Pitru Paksha. This rare combination is drawing attention from both scientists and spiritual followers.