Bhubaneswar, Sep 7: India is all set witness the final lunar eclipse of 2025 on Sunday, coinciding with the full moon of the Bhadrapada month.

The celestial event will begin with the penumbral phase at 8:58 PM IST, reaching its peak at 9:58 PM, and concluding at 1:26 AM on September 8, lasting approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes.

This total lunar eclipse, visible across India, occurred under the Aquarius zodiac sign and Shatabhisha Nakshatra. Astrologers have noted its alignment with Rahu, marking it as a Rahu-grasta eclipse. The next lunar eclipse is expected on Dol Purnima in March 2026, and will be Ketu-grasta, making this a rare occurrence of two eclipses within six months—both falling on significant religious dates.

Astrologers, including Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb’s royal astrologer Shivanarayan Mahapatra, have expressed concern over the timing and frequency of these eclipses.

According to traditional Jyotish calculations, such close succession of eclipses may signal an inauspicious period for Odisha, potentially bringing natural calamities like floods, cyclones, or earthquakes.

The eclipses also coincide with major festivals and sacred observances linked to Lord Jagannath, adding spiritual weight to the predictions.

While scientists view the eclipse as a natural astronomical phenomenon, astrologers emphasize caution, advising rituals, prayers, and charitable acts during and after the eclipse.

As the reddish “Blood Moon” graced the night sky, many across Odisha observed traditional sutak protocols, refraining from food and temple visits, and engaging in purification rituals post-eclipse.

Whether viewed through the lens of science or astrology, Sunday’s eclipse has stirred both awe and introspection across the state.