Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) Calculator

[Update January 15th, 2010]: for information on Surya Grahan on 15th January 2010, please go here.

You might be knowing that there is partial solar eclipse on August 1st, 2008. Solar Eclipse has given a lot of importance in Hinduism. At the time of the eclipse, people are suggested to bathe in the sacred rivers. They should do charitable acts. They should donate cows, money and gold. One is suggested not not to take food during the eclipse. One should take food only after seeing the sun free from the eclipse. Pregnant women are advised not to see the eclipse otherwise the child born may have some kind of defect. Householders are forbidden from sexual intercourse on the day of the eclipse, for the same reason. Eclipse time is also considered very auspicious for sadhana (spiritual practice).

Khandgrass Surya Grahan Timings in India
August 1, 2008 (15.50 IST to 18.08 IST)
It will be visible everywhere in India.

Sutak time
The Sutak will start from 3.50 a.m. (IST) of Aug 1, 2008 and continue till 6.00 p.m. (IST) or sunset of the same day whichever is earlier.

Partial Eclipse beginning and end timings
City Hrs (IST)
Delhi 16.03 to 17.57
Mumbai 16.27 to 18.04
Chennai 16.41 to 18.08
Kolkotta 16.18 to 18.03
Bangalore 16.42 to 18.07
Jammu 15.54 to 17.51
Ahemdabad 16.16 to 18.01
Guwahati 16.11 to 17.58
Hyderabad 16.30 to 18.06
in other locations, (+,-) 5-10 minutes to the above time.

If you are in some other city or country, still you can find out exact timings of solar eclipse for you. There is one very nice utility given on nasa website for calculating exact timing for Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse at http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/JSEX/JSEX-index.html.