Chandra Grahan in February 2009 – Chandragrahan – Lunar Eclipse

A penumbral lunar eclipse, Chandra Grahan, will be visible on February 9, 2009 in India. According to NASA, it will be visible in Asia, Eastern Europe, Australia, Parts of Africa and parts of North America. There are a total of four lunar eclipses in 2009 and the Chandra Grahan on February 9, 2009 is the deepest in this year and will be visible to the naked eye as dusky shading in the northern half of the Moon.

Update: Information on next Chandra Grahan on December 31, 2009 and January 1, 2010

Western part of India and South India will see the Chandra Grahan on February 2009 at moonrise. North India and Eastern parts of India will have a great view of the eclipse. The eclipse is also visible in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. It is visible at moonrise in Gulf countries like UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar.

The following map shows the details view of the Chandra Grahan around the world:

Image Courtesy NASA (click on the image for a larger view)

A Chandra Grahan Surya (Sun), Bhumi (Earth) and Chandra (Moon) are in a single line with Bhumi in the middle. If this occurs, Chandra does not receive light from Surya because it is in the shadow of Bhumi, and thus Chandra becomes invisible.

A fast (Upvaas) is observed by certain communities in Hindu religion during Chandra Grahan. The fast begins about 9 hours before the beginning of Chandra Grahan.

People also take a bath in cold water and chant mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Shiva like the Ashtakshara Mantra or Mrityunjaya Mantra. This is done whenever Surya and Chandra are under the influence of Rahu.

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Chandra Grahan February 2009 Timings around the world