Total Lunar Eclipse 2026 Live Updates: Skywatchers across India are preparing for one of the most striking celestial events of the year as the total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, approaches. During a lunar eclipse, the Sun, Earth and Moon align in a straight line, allowing Earth’s shadow to fall across the Moon. As sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, red and orange wavelengths bend toward the lunar surface, giving the Moon its signature copper red glow, popularly known as the Blood Moon.
According to official timings released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through the Press Information Bureau, the eclipse begins at 3:20 PM IST, with totality occurring between 4:34 PM and 5:33 PM IST before ending at 6:48 PM IST. However, because the Moon rises after the eclipse has already started in most Indian locations, viewers will mainly witness the final stages of the event during moonrise. Cities in North East India will enjoy comparatively better viewing conditions, while metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru will see only the closing phase.
The Total Lunar Eclipse will be visible across India, with eastern and north-eastern cities getting the best view. Cities like Dibrugarh (5:09 PM), Imphal (5:15 PM), Shillong (5:23 PM), and Guwahati (5:24 PM) will witness more of the eclipse, including parts of totality. In major metros such as Delhi (6:22 PM), Mumbai (6:45 PM), Chennai (6:17 PM), and Bengaluru (6:28 PM), only the ending phase will be visible after moonrise. Central and eastern cities including Patna, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar (around 5:51 PM) will also catch partial views.
Unlike solar eclipses, this event is completely safe to observe with the naked eye. Clear eastern horizons and minimal light pollution will offer the best experience, though global observatories are also expected to provide live streams for uninterrupted viewing.
