Grahan 2017: Chandra and Surya Grahan 2017

Check out the dates of Surya Grahan 2017 and Chandra Grahan 2017. Discover every aspect of Grahan here in this exclusive article on Grahan in 2017. Know the reasons & ways to protect yourself during Grahan and a lot more.

Grahan 2017

An astronomical phenomena in which one rotating celestial body comes in between the other two rotating celestial bodies is called Grahan or eclipse. It happens generally 4-5 times a year. In 2017, we will witness a total of 4 eclipses. This includes Chandra grahan 2017 and Surya Grahan 2017. Let’s give you a brief about the dates of Grahan in 2017:

Grahan 2017: Surya Grahan

Surya Grahan takes place when Moon comes between the Sun and the earth. This happens only on the New Moon’s day. Moon blocks the light of the Sun, which results in Surya Grahan or solar eclipse. Surya Grahan can be categorised into two types; first is Ardhya Surya Grahan or annular solar eclipse and second is Purna Surya Grahan or total solar eclipse. As their names are clearly distinguishing them; Purna Surya Grahan occurs when Moon totally blocks the light of the Sun and Ardhya Surya Grahan occurs when Moon partially blocks it.

Date Type of eclipse Grahan visibility in India Eclipse visibility in global locations Time of Grahan (IST)
26 February 2017 Solar Eclipse No South America, Antarctica, South Africa, Southern pacific ocean, South Atlantic ocean 17:39 to 23:04
21 August 2017 Solar Eclipse No South Africa, Northern Pacific region, Antarctica 21:16 to 02:34

Grahan 2017: Chandra Grahan

Chandra Grahan takes place when earth comes between the Moon and the Sun. Unlike Surya Grahan, this happens only on the Full Moon night. In this phenomena, Moon passes through the earth’s shadow. When Moon is partially covered by the earth’s umbra (shadow), partial lunar eclipse or Ardha Chandra Grahan takes place. On the other hand, when Moon gets totally covered by the umbra, it results in total lunar eclipse or Purna Chandra Grahan.

Date Type of eclipse Grahan visibility in India Eclipse visibility in global locations Time of Grahan (IST)
11 February, 2017 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Yes Asia, North America, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic, Europe, Antarctica. Starts at 04:04:14
Ends at 08:23:25
7 August 2017 Partial Chandra Grahan Yes India, Europe, North America, Africa, Australia & East of Asia Starts at 10:44 pm Approaches mid-phase at 11:43 pm Ends at 1: 59 am

*Note: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse is not an actual lunar eclipse. In this eclipse, the moon doesn’t move from the shadow of the earth, instead it moves through the outer part of the earth’s shadow where its arc gets slightly dusky.

After knowing the dates and timing of Grahan in 2017, let's unveil more facts about Surya Grahan & Chandra Grahan.

Grahan 2017: Mythological Legend Of Grahan

Apart from scientific importance, Grahan also has mythological significance. It describes the reason for its occurrence. So, let’s also take a look at it before knowing more about Grahan in 2017.

During the time of Samudra Manthan, Gods and demons distributed everything equally. But, Gods wanted to save the elixir (the divine drink - Amrit) from demons. For tricking them, Lord Vishnu converted himself into a beautiful lady, Mohini. He took the pot of elixir and started distributing it among Gods. Among the demons, he distributed an ordinary liquid.

One of the demon understood the trick and quietly sat between the Sun and the Moon to consume the elixir. When he was having the divine drink Amrit, Sun and Moon recognised him and informed Lord Vishnu (Mohini). On this, Lord Vishnu got so much annoyed that he immediately cut off the demon’s head from his body. However, due to the consumption of some elixir, he became immortal and is known by the names of Rahu (head of the demon) and Ketu (body of the demon) since then.

It is believed that Rahu comes and swallows the Sun and the Moon periodically for taking revenge of his condition. When Rahu swallows both these celestial bodies, Grahan takes place.

After knowing about the mythological significance of Grahan, let's now talk about what we should do and avoid to prevent the bad effects of Grahan and Sutak in 2017.

Grahan 2017: Sutak

Before a certain time period of Chandra Grahan and Surya Grahan, the environment starts getting contaminated with harmful objects. This time period is known as Sutak. It is believed that auspicious tasks should not be performed during Sutak.

During Sutak, following activities should be avoided:

  1. Sutak starts 12 hours before Surya Grahan and 9 hours before Chandra Grahan.
  2. One should not perform any auspicious work during Sutak.
  3. The idols and images of deities should not be touched and worshiped.
  4. Bath should be taken after Sutak to avoid its harmful effects.
  5. Sutak is applicable to those places only where Grahan or eclipse is visible.

After talking about Sutak, let's now talk about the do's and don'ts of Grahan in 2017 or eclipse in 2017:

Grahan 2017: Do's and Don'ts Of Grahan

As Sutak and Grahan are considered inauspicious, there are certain precautions which we should follow to prevent their harmful effects. Read about them in the below given points:

  1. Bad effects of Grahan can be minimised to a great extent by chanting Mantras and meditation.
  2. One should chant this Mantra, during solar eclipse or Surya Grahan:
  3. Om Adityay Vidmahe Divakaraye Dheemahi Tanno Suryah Prachodayat ||
    (ॐ आदित्याय विद्महे दिवाकराय धीमहि तन्नो सूर्य: प्रचोदयात्॥)
  4. During lunar eclipse or Chandra Grahan one can chant this Mantra:
  5. Om Kshirputrayay Vidmahe Amrit Tatvaaye Dheemahi Tanno Chadrah Prachodayat||
    (ॐ क्षीरपुत्राय विद्महे अमृत तत्वाय धीमहि तन्नो चन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्॥)
  6. One should not consume anything, during the time of Sutak and Grahan.
  7. Use of cosmetics should be avoided during eclipse or Grahan.
  8. Do not indulge in sexual activities during Grahan.
  9. Only freshly prepared food should be consumed.
  10. One should sprinkle the holy water (Gangajal) all around the house after Grahan.
  11. We should take bath after the Grahan gets over.

By following the above mentioned points, we can avoid the bad effects of Grahan up to a great extent. Grahan is a very crucial period for pregnant ladies. There are some special precautions which should be followed by them for their and their child's well being. Let us throw some light on these important remedial measures to be used by pregnant ladies during Grahan.

Grahan 2017: Do's & Don'ts Of Grahan For Pregnant Ladies

  1. Pregnant ladies should not step outside the home during the time of Sutak and Grahan, because the contamination of atmosphere might affect the health of the child.
  2. They should not do any kind of stitching or cutting, as it may also put adverse effects on the baby.
  3. They should not witness the Grahan with naked eyes.
  4. Usage of knife or any other sharp weapon should be avoided.
  5. Wearing pins like safety pins, hair pins and jewelry should also be avoided.
  6. They should stay awake during Grahan.
  7. Santana Gopala Mantra should be chanted for the well being of the child. The Mantra is given below:
  8. ( ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ग्लौं देवकीसुत गोविन्द वासुदेव जगत्पते देहि मे तनयं कृष्ण त्वामहं शरणं गतः|| )
    (Om Shreeng Hreeng Kleeng Glaung Devakisut Govind Vasudev Jagatpate Dehi Me Tanayam Krishn Tvaamaham Sharanam Gatah ||)
  9. They should take bath before and after Grahan.
  10. They should not follow fasting and follow the regular routine, as prescribed by the doctor.

It is important to take the advantage of good times, in the same way it is important to stay cautious in the inauspicious times. Follow the above mentioned simple steps to avoid the inauspiciousness of Grahan in 2017.

HindiKundli wishes you a safe Grahan in 2017!!!