Surya Grahan 2026 In India Date And Time: Will February 17 Eclipse Be Seen In India?
Many people right now are searching for date and time of Surya Grahan India. Let me give clear answer in first line The first solar eclipse of 2026 will happen on February 17, 2026.
It is known as an Annular Solar Eclipse or Ring of Fire. Naturally, people want to know the exact timing in India and whether it will be visible here.
There is also confusion about Sutak Kaal, religious rules, and how this eclipse may affect daily life. In this article, I will explain everything in very simple words so you get clear answers without any confusion.
The first solar eclipse of 2026 will take place on Tuesday, February 17.
As per Indian Standard Time, the eclipse will begin at around 3:26 PM and end at about 7:57 PM. The maximum phase will happen around 5:43 PM. Some sources mention a small variation of a few minutes, but this is the general time window.
Here is a simple timing table for better understanding:
| Phase | Time (UTC) | Time In India (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Begins | 09:57 UTC | 3:26 PM |
| Maximum Eclipse | 12:13 UTC | Around 5:43 PM |
| Eclipse Ends | Later Afternoon UTC | 7:57 PM |
| Total Duration | About 4 Hours 31 Minutes | Not Visible In India |
Even though the eclipse lasts more than four hours globally, Indians will not be able to see it.
No. This is the most important point.
The February 17, 2026 Surya Grahan will not be visible anywhere in India. Not in Delhi. Not in Mumbai. Not in Chennai or Kolkata.
The reason is simple. During the main alignment of the Sun and Moon, the Sun will already be below the horizon in India. That means it will be evening or sunset time here. Because of that, no part of the eclipse can be seen from our country.
The full Ring of Fire will mainly be visible in parts of Antarctica. Some partial phases may be seen in southern Africa and southern parts of South America like Argentina and Chile.

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun but does not fully cover the Sun.
This happens because the Moon is slightly farther away from Earth at that time. So it looks smaller than the Sun in the sky. When it moves in front of the Sun, a bright ring of sunlight remains visible around it. That bright ring is called the Ring of Fire.
There are three main types of solar eclipses:
In a total eclipse, the Sun is completely covered. In a partial eclipse, only a part of the Sun is covered. In an annular eclipse, the Sun looks like a glowing ring.
Many people are worried about Sutak Kaal.
According to Hindu tradition, Sutak Kaal starts about 12 hours before a solar eclipse. During this period, people avoid cooking, eating, or performing religious rituals.
But here is the important part. Sutak Kaal is only considered valid in places where the eclipse is visible.
Since this Surya Grahan will not be visible in India, Sutak Kaal will not be applicable here. So there is no need to follow any restrictions related to this eclipse inside India.
On social media, many users were confused at first. Some posts claimed that the eclipse would affect India. Others were unsure about Sutak timing.
After astronomy related accounts shared global eclipse path details, the confusion reduced. Many users clearly explained that the Ring of Fire path is mostly in the Southern Hemisphere and India will not witness it.
There is also excitement about live streaming from Antarctica. People who are interested in space events are planning to watch it online instead.
Overall, most discussions are about visibility and religious rules. Once correct timing information spread, people understood that it is not visible in India.
Even though this eclipse is not visible here, it is good to remember basic safety rules.
Looking directly at the Sun can damage your eyes permanently. Safety always comes first.
There will be one more major solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. That one will be a total solar eclipse. But it will also not be visible in India.
So in 2026, Indian sky watchers will not get a chance to see a solar eclipse directly.
Surya Grahan 2026 will happen on February 17, 2026. The timing in India is from 3:26 PM to 7:57 PM IST. But it will not be visible anywhere in India. Because of that, Sutak Kaal will not apply in India.
If you are interested in watching it, you can look for live streams online from countries where it is visible.
That is the full and simple truth about Surya Grahan 2026 in India.
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