Whether it is a Solar Eclipse or a lunar Eclipse, the factors of formation remain the same, that is Sun, Moon and Earth. Cause of Moon when there is a blockage in Sun’s light, it is called Solar Eclipse. The Eclipse is formed only for a duration of time, in which Moon covers the Sun and doesn’t let its rays reach the Earth. The Effect of Eclipse falls on all living organism. Which include human beings, animals, birds and other insects. In the Eclipse period the inauspicious time(Sutak kaal) is kept under consideration. Come lets try understanding the Sutak, before knowing the rules.

What is Sutak during Solar Eclipse

Sutak time is generally, the inauspicious time. In normal talks, this time is known as a phase in which no auspicious work should be done. As per the virtuous rules, after 12 hours from the beginning of Solar Eclipse the Sutak period starts. This ends, when we take shower after the salvation time of Eclipse is over, and spiritual sites or places are cleaned.

After 12 hours from starting of Solar Eclipse, when inauspicious time (Sutak) is started, the doors of temple are kept closed. At this time no worshiping, praying or God visiting is not carried out.

What Not to Do, and What to Do During Solar Eclipse

1. From the starting to the end time of Eclipse, its beneficial to do meditations, chanting of mantra, Hawan, and prayers.


2. Idols of God should not be touched during Solar Eclipse. After the Sutak period, you should take bath and wear new clothes and the sculptures of God should also be washed with Ganga Jal and made to wear new clothes.


3. Except for the Idols, Tulsi and Shami trees, also should not be touched.


4. After Eclipse, these should also sprinkled with Holy water and made pure.


5. The chanting of favored God, guru mantra, Gaytri mantra should be done by lighting a deepak.


6. For the accomplishment of mantras it’s quite a good time.

On contrast, in this time you should not do things like eating food, cooking food, sleeping, urination or defecation, intercourse or make up.

As per a belief related to Solar Eclipse, on this day, pregnant ladies should avoid cutting vegetables and stitching etc. or else, the child to be born might have chances of some physical problems. Also, they should not go out of house at the time of Eclipse, and should not have a sight of Eclipse at all.

The rule of Sutak is not applicable for pregnant ladies, patients,children and old aged people.

What to do After the End of Solar Eclipse

According to the scriptures after the salvation period of Solar Eclipse is over people should take bath and wearclean clothes. After this memorial work and charity is also done. No Moon day is specially for ancestors, so, work is done in regards of their peace attainment.

There is a system of doing meditation and thinking of God at the time of Solar Eclipse, so after Eclipse liberation period, having God’s sight is counted as auspicious work. If a person is on a pilgrim visit then he should go to the near by spiritual place and have a bath.

Tasks to be Performed during an Eclipse

The people of places under the effect of Eclipse or where Eclipse is visible, are curious to know in which sequence should the work be done on this day as per the scriptures. First of all, as the time Eclipse time starts, take a bath. In the mid of this period go for doing meditation and mantra chantings. At the end of Eclipse , doing charity and memorial works is considered favorable.Also, taking bath after the salvation of Eclipse and donating grains, clothes, money etc. and after completion of all thee works take a bath again.

Chanting Mantra During Solar Eclipse

Generally during the time of Eclipse chanting of any mantra is fruitful. Or else Surya mantra can be chanted of during Solar Eclipse. The Mahamritunjay mantra, reliever of all sorts of problems can be good if chanted. Mahamritunjay mantra is as follows:

Mahamritunjay mantra is as follows:

"ओम् त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे, सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्द्धनं, उर्वारुक्मिव बंधनात्, मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्"

Also, chanting of Gaytri mantra is good.

" ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्"

Even Surya mantra is auspicious to chant.

" ऊँ घृणि सूर्याय नम:"