Image Source: Hindustan Times
September 2025 promises spectacular celestial events, concluding the year’s eclipse season with a notable partial solar eclipse on September 21. Known as Surya Grahan in India, this event holds both scientific and cultural significance. However, despite the excitement surrounding eclipses, the big question is whether people in India will witness this phenomenon. Here is a detailed analysis of the solar eclipse scheduled for September 21, 2025.
Key Highlights:
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The last solar eclipse of 2025 will occur on September 21, and it will be a partial solar eclipse.
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This eclipse coincides with the Hindu calendar’s Pitru Paksha, a period dedicated to honoring ancestors.
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The eclipse will be visible mainly in the Southern Hemisphere, including New Zealand, eastern Australia, Pacific Islands, and parts of Antarctica.
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India and much of the Northern Hemisphere will not see any part of the solar eclipse.
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The eclipse begins at 10:59 PM IST on September 21 and ends at 3:23 AM IST on September 22, lasting over four hours.
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Despite its invisibility in India, the eclipse carries astrological significance and coincides with many religious observances.
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Scientific phenomena such as the equinox add to the event's interest.
Understanding the Partial Solar Eclipse of September 21, 2025
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, partially or fully obscuring the Sun’s image as seen from Earth. In the September 2025 event, the Moon will cover only part of the Sun’s disk, creating a crescent-shaped Sun as seen from certain regions. This specific event is termed a partial solar eclipse because the Moon's central shadow (umbra) misses Earth, while the outer shadow (penumbra) causes partial obscuration.
Visibility and Timing of Surya Grahan 2025
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The eclipse’s precise timing on September 21 is as follows (Indian Standard Time - IST):
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Start: 10:59 PM on September 21
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Maximum coverage: Approximately 1:11 AM on September 22
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End: 3:23 AM on September 22
The eclipse path is restricted primarily to the Southern Hemisphere, with best visibility over countries like New Zealand where up to 72% of the Sun will be obscured at sunrise. Eastern coastal Australia and many Pacific islands will also experience varying degrees of the eclipse. Antarctica will see significant coverage, making for dramatic celestial views.
India will not witness any part of this eclipse. The Moon's shadow will not fall on the Indian subcontinent due to the geometry of the Sun-Earth-Moon system at this time. Consequently, the Sun will appear fully visible and unobstructed across Indian skies throughout this period.
Cultural and Astrological Context in India
Despite the eclipse’s invisibility in India, its occurrence on September 21 holds special cultural meaning. It coincides with the last day of Pitru Paksha (also known as Shraddh), a lunar fortnight dedicated to paying homage to ancestors. The convergence of the eclipse with this period enhances its spiritual significance in Hindu tradition. Astrologically, the eclipse occurs in the Virgo sign, governed by Mercury, highlighting themes of introspection, purification, and transformation.
Since the eclipse will not be visible over India, there will be no Sutak period (a ritual abstinence phase traditionally observed before and during an eclipse) imposed on September 21. Still, many may choose to observe symbolic or spiritual practices associated with eclipses to honor religious sentiments during this time.
Scientific and Global Significance
This eclipse is also termed the “equinox eclipse” because it happens close to the September equinox—when day and night are approximately equal worldwide. The celestial mechanics of this rare timing provide astronomers with valuable opportunities to study shadow geometry, orbital motion, and the Earth-sun relationship in detail.
For those interested in viewing this event, several international space agencies and observatories will offer live streams and broadcasts, allowing enthusiasts worldwide, including India, to watch the eclipse safely and in real-time from afar.
Summary
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Surya Grahan of September 21, 2025, is the last solar eclipse of the year and a partial eclipse.
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The eclipse is visible mainly in the Southern Hemisphere and not observable in India.
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It aligns with the important Hindu period of Pitru Paksha, adding cultural and religious relevance.
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Scientific interest is high due to its occurrence near the equinox.
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Indians can watch the eclipse via online streams, as the direct view is not possible locally.
Source: Times of India, Hindustan Times, Moneycontrol, Aaj Tak, TimeandDate.com, NASA
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