Partial Lunar Eclipse to be Visible in Nepal on Tuesday Evening

Kathmandu. A partial lunar eclipse, specifically a penumbral partial eclipse (where about half the moon is covered as it rises), will occur on Tuesday evening during the full moon day of the Falgun Shukla Purnima. According to the Nepal Panchanga Adjudication Development Committee, the eclipse will begin at 3:34 PM on Tuesday, as mentioned in the calendar (Panchanga) approved by the committee.

Although the eclipse will be total at the moment of contact, it will be visible as a partial eclipse in Nepal after moonrise, informed Committee Chairman Prof. Shambhu Prasad Dhakal. When the moon rises at 6:03 PM, it will already be in the state of a penumbral partial eclipse. The lunar eclipse will end at 7:02 PM. The lunar eclipse will be visible from Nepal for about an hour.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth completely blocks the Sun, covering the entire moon. A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only half or a portion of the moon is covered. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon because the Earth, Sun, and Moon align in a straight line.

This is the second time an eclipse will be visible from Nepal this year. Previously, a total lunar eclipse occurred on Bhadra 22. Lunar eclipses occur on the full moon (Purnima) and solar eclipses on the new moon (Aunsi) tithi.

It is stated in classical texts that performing rituals such as chanting, bathing, meditation, and recitation during an eclipse is fruitful. It is also considered auspicious to receive initiation mantras during an eclipse. Religious texts like Nirnay Sindhu, Hemadri, Kalmadhav, and Veermitroday mention that one should bathe at a pilgrimage site during an eclipse, or if not possible, in a nearby river, lake, pond, or even at home if that is not feasible.

Religious scholar Prof. Toyaraj Nepal stated that the Sutak period begins three prahars (nine hours) before a lunar eclipse and four prahars (twelve hours) before a solar eclipse. It is a religious belief that one should not eat after the Sutak begins. He also mentioned that according to classical texts, eating is prohibited during an eclipse for everyone except children, the elderly, and the sick.

The calendar approved by the committee mentions that according to classical belief, except for children, the elderly, and those in distress, one should not eat after 9:03 AM on Tuesday.

Lunar Eclipse Can Be Viewed Without Special Equipment

Among the four eclipses occurring in the world in 2026—two lunar and two solar—the lunar eclipse tomorrow will be visible from Nepal as a partial lunar eclipse. The Nepal Astronomical Society, which works in the field of astronomy, stated that if the weather permits, the partial lunar eclipse will be clearly visible from all parts of the country. No special equipment is required to view the lunar eclipse.

The partial lunar eclipse, which will occur in Nepal after moonrise and last until 7:02 PM on Tuesday, can be clearly viewed if the weather is favorable, informed Suresh Bhattarai, President of the Nepal Astronomical Society. This is the only eclipse visible from Nepal in 2026.

Eclipse viewing can be done from one's rooftop, an open field, or a nearby hill. He suggested that higher ground near the location where the eclipse begins with moonrise in Nepal would be ideal for viewing.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the Moon also revolves around the Earth. In this process, when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon. Since the Moon does not have its own light, the Earth's shadow obscures the Moon; this is called a lunar eclipse.

Although the Sun, Earth, and Moon can align in a straight line during a full moon or new moon, not every full moon results in a lunar eclipse because the Moon's orbital plane makes an angle of about 5 degrees with the Earth's orbital plane.

Furthermore, the Moon's orbit intersects the Earth's orbital plane at two points. These two points are named Rahu and Ketu in ancient astrology, he explained.