Eclipse 2020: Solar Eclipse 2020 & Lunar Eclipse 2020 Dates, Horoscope, Sutak, & More

Get all the information about Eclipse 2020 on this page. Learn all you want to about the eclipses and their effects, in detail.

The year 2020 is hosting two solar eclipses and four lunar eclipses, hence, a total of 6 eclipses. They will all affect different places, as mythological beliefs say. Get the answer to all your questions about these eclipses here. Like, what should we do to avoid the malefic effects of the eclipse (Grahan Dosha)? What precautions should be taken during an eclipse? How to nullify the influence of Sutak? And so on.

Before we take you to the do’s and don’ts let us first learn about the Solar and Lunar eclipses.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें

Solar Eclipse 2020

The very first Solar eclipse of 2020 will occur on 21 June. The speciality of this is that it will be an annular Solar eclipse. In this, the Moon, instead of blanketing the entire Sun, will cover only its centre. As a result, the Sun appears as a bright ring, with the Moon’s black shadow in its middle. This solar eclipse can be seen in India, Southeast Europe, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Africa, and most of North America and South America. This is a significant eclipse from India’s perspective, and since it is visible in the country, thus its sutak will also be valid here.

The second and last Solar eclipse of 2020 will occur on 14-15 December. This will be a total eclipse, in which the Moon will completely cover the Sun. It will be visible over the southern part of the African continent as well as most of South America, areas of Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Antarctica.

Learn About Solar Eclipse 2020 in Detail, Here.

Lunar Eclipse 2020

As mentioned above, this year will witness four lunar eclipses, all of which are Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. A Penumbral Lunar eclipse corresponds to the time when the Moon passes through the penumbra of the Earth; thus, subtly dimming the lunar surface. The Sun’s light falling on the Moon gets cut-off during this eclipse making the latter look like it is slightly in the shadows. Information about all four eclipses is given below:

The first Lunar Eclipse of the year 2020 will fall on 10 January. It will be visible only in some parts of Europe, India, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

The Second Lunar Eclipse of the year 2020 will occur on 5 June. This will be visible in Europe, India, as well as parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

The Third Lunar Eclipse of 2020 will occur on 5 July and will be visible over parts of America, Southwest Europe, and Africa.

The fourth and the last Lunar Eclipse of the year will fall on 30 November 2020. It will be visible in some parts of Asia, Australia, Pacific Ocean, and America.

Learn About Lunar Eclipse 2020 in Detail, Here.

Sutak During Eclipse

It is believed that, during the solar and lunar eclipses, there is a specified inauspicious time, called Sutak Kaal. Anything done during this time offers only negative effects and adverse results. As a result, many tasks are considered forbidden in this Kaal. However, several remedies performed in Sutak Kaal ensures that its harmful effects do not impact our lives.

When Does Sutak Start?

The Sutak period is associated with doing or not doing specific tasks. The duration between one sunrise and the other is divided into 8 Prahars. These eight prahars together come up to a total of 24 hours. Thus, one prahar is of approximately 3 hours.

If the Solar or Lunar Eclipse is visible, then the Sutak Kaal is said to be valid in that area; otherwise, it is considered void. The Sutak Kaal is of 4 prahars in a Solar Eclipse and thus begins precisely 12 hours before the eclipse. On the other hand, it is of 3 prahars during a Lunar Eclipse. Hence, the Sutak Kaal commences precisely 9 hours before the Lunar Eclipse. In both cases, the Sutak ends as the eclipse ends.

These Tasks Are Prohibited During Sutak:

1. Do not commence any new task in this period, because this is not an auspicious time for the beginning of anything new.
2. Cooking and eating are prohibited during Sutak Kaal.
3. Using a knife or scissors is also inauspicious.
4. Going to the loo is also not considered auspicious during the Sutak. Hence, one should try and be done with nature’s call before it begins.
5. One should not touch the idols of Gods and Goddesses during this time.
6. Libidinous activities should be avoided during Sutak.
7. Cleaning one’s teeth, combing hair, etc., are also considered inauspicious.

Always Do These Things During Sutak:

1. Do yoga and meditation to escape the malefic effects of Sutak. This is one of the best remedies because it gives you mental strength.
2. Exercising is very beneficial during Sutak Kaal as it keeps you physically fit and healthy.
3. Worship God during Sutak. One can pray to Lord Sun (Surya Deva) during the Solar Eclipse, and Lord Moon (Chandra Deva) or Lord Shiva during the Lunar Eclipse.
4. In the Sutak period, light clay lamps (diya) while worshipping God and chant the mantras associated with them.
5. Once the Sutak ends, purify your home by sprinkling Ganga Jal (water from the holy Ganges) everywhere and mopping the place.
6. Eat fresh food after Sutak ends.
7. However, if food has already been cooked before Sutak, do not waste it either. Put in Tulsi (Basil) leaves in the meal to purify it.

Special Instructions For Pregnant Women:

A new life forms in the womb of pregnant women. Therefore, they should take special care during an eclipse, to keep their baby safe from the negative aspect of Rahu and Ketu. They should avoid tasks like sewing, weaving, embroidery, etc. because it is said that not doing so can adversely affect the baby’s body parts.

Mantras

One should chant the following mantras during the eclipse. Doing so will negate the adverse effects of the eclipse.

Mantra For Solar Eclipse

ॐ आदित्याय विदमहे दिवाकराय धीमहि तन्न: सूर्य: प्रचोदयात

oṃ ādityāya vidamahe divākarāya dhīmahi tanna: sūrya: pracodayāta

Mantra For Lunar Eclipse

ॐ क्षीरपुत्राय विद्महे अमृत तत्वाय धीमहि तन्नो चन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्

oṃ kṣīraputrāya vidmahe amṛta tatvāya dhīmahi tanno candraḥ pracodayāt

About Solar Eclipse

The Solar Eclipse is an astronomical event. For any eclipse to occur, the three celestial bodies; the Sun, Moon, and Earth, need to fall in a straight line during their respective revolutions. During a Solar Eclipse, the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth. As a result of this, it obstructs the light of the Sun from reaching Earth. Additionally, if the Moon completely covers the Sun, then that event is known as a Total Solar Eclipse. A Solar Eclipse always falls on an Amavasya (New Moon).

Let us take a glimpse at all types of Solar Eclipse:

• Total Solar Eclipse

  When the dark silhouette of the Moon completely covers the Sun, obstructing its bright light, then it is known as a Total Solar Eclipse. During this event, it allows only a faint corona to be visible of the Sun, outside the Moon.

• Partial Solar Eclipse

  When the Moon can cover the Sun’s bright light only partially, then that event is called a Partial Solar Eclipse. It is virtually unnoticeable due to the Sun’s brightness.

• Annular Solar Eclipse

  When the Moon is unable to cover the Sun completely, yet screens its entire centre, then that event is called an Annular Solar Eclipse. During this, the Sun is visible as a bright ring, outside the dark silhouette of the Moon.

About Lunar Eclipse

Astrology says that the demon Rahu-Ketu is responsible for the Lunar and Solar eclipse. However, Astronomy has proven that when the three celestial bodies, Sun, Moon, and Earth, fall in a straight line and the shadow of one falls on another, then it causes an eclipse. In the same vein, when Earth gets in the centre of the Moon and the Sun during their respective revolutions, then it obstructs the light of the Sun, stopping it from reaching the Moon. As a result, when the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon, due to the Sun being behind it, a Lunar Eclipse occurs. A Lunar Eclipse always falls on a Purnima (Full Moon). Let us take a glimpse at all types of Lunar Eclipse:

• Total Lunar Eclipse

  When the Earth’s dark shadow completely covers the Moon, then this event is known as a Total Lunar Eclipse. At this time, the Earth is obstructing the Sun’s bright light from reaching the Moon.

• Partial Lunar Eclipse

  When the Earth’s shadow is able to cover the Moon only partially, then that event is called a Partial Lunar Eclipse.

• Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

  When the Moon passes through the penumbra part of the Earth’s shadow, there is a slight dimming of the lunar surface. This event is called a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.

Mythological Tale Associated With Eclipse

Mythology suggests that the eclipse occurs because the head and body of a demon, Rahu and Ketu respectively, are taking revenge on their enemies, the Sun and the Moon. There is a story behind the beginning of their enmity. It is said that centuries ago, the Samundra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) was going on between the Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons). As a result of this churning, 14 gems came out of the Kshirasāgara (Ocean of Milk). One of these 14 gems, was the Amrit – the nectar of immortality.

When the Gods and the Demons started fighting to drink the nectar, the Demons were able to snatch the urn (Kalash) of Amrit from the Gods. If the demons drank the nectar, then that would be extremely dangerous for the Universe. Therefore, to stop them, Lord Vishnu took the form of a beautiful apsara (nymph) named Mohini. Vishnu Ji, in his Mohini avatar, charmed the demons and made them agree to the condition that both the parties will drink the nectar.

However, when Mohini went around offering a drink to both the Devas and Asuras, very cunningly, she offered Amrit to the Devas and wine to the Asuras. At this time, on discovering his ploy, a demon named Swarbhanu sat with the Lords to drink the nectar. As soon as his chance to drink came, the Lords Sun and Moon recognised him and pointed him out to Lord Vishnu.

As soon as he learned the truth, Lord Vishnu immediately used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut off the demon’s head. However, by then, Swarbhanu had already taken a gulp of the Amrit, which was enough for him to become immortal. Despite the nectar though, his body was now cut into two – his head had come apart from the body. As a result, his head was now called Rahu, and his body, Ketu.

It is believed that Rahu and Ketu take revenge on their enemies, the Sun and the Moon, by putting an eclipse on them.

We Hope That This Article On Eclipse 2020 Was Helpful For You! Astrocamp Wishes You A Safe Year Ahead!