Holi 2024: Festival of Colors Meets Celestial Show in Rare Lunar Eclipse Convergence
On the auspicious occasion of Falgun Purnima in 2024, which aligns with March 25th, the vibrant festival of Holi will grace the hearts and streets of India. This celebration, steeped in tradition and color, holds immense cultural significance, marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. However, this year's festivities are set against a celestial backdrop of rare significance, as a lunar eclipse is slated to coincide with the joyous occasion.
Lunar Eclipse Dances with Holi Festivities - Don't Miss This Spectacular Union!
Are you excited to play with colours and revel in the holy celebration of festivity, this Rangotsav?#Rangotsav2024 #Braj #Vrindavan #Mathura #Holi #Holi2024 #UPTourism #UttarPradesh #coloursofindia #festivalsofindia #visitindia pic.twitter.com/c4ncPOF5SQ
— Incredible!ndia (@incredibleindia) March 12, 2024
Despite the cosmic convergence of Holi and the lunar eclipse, the celestial event is unlikely to cast a shadow over the jubilant spirit of the festival. Astrologically speaking, the eclipse is not expected to be visible in India, ensuring that its impact on the customary rituals and revelries of Holi remains minimal.
Scheduled as a penumbral lunar eclipse, the celestial spectacle will commence at 10:24 AM and draw to a close by 3:01 PM, with its zenith occurring at 12:43 PM. However, the moon's ascent at 6:44 PM on the day of the eclipse, coupled with its invisibility in Indian skies, guarantees the uninterrupted flow of Holi celebrations, including the sacred Holika Dahan ritual.
Prepare for the Ultimate Cosmic Celebration!
Curiosity may arise regarding the significance of this lunar eclipse in the context of the broader astronomical calendar. Contrary to popular perception, this lunar eclipse, occurring on March 25th, does not mark the inception but rather the culmination of the lunar eclipse cycle for the year.
The apparent discrepancy stems from the divergence between the Gregorian calendar, widely adopted as the standard English calendar, and the Hindu lunar calendars, particularly the Shaka Samvat and the Vikram Samvat.
On March 25th 2024-A penumbral lunar eclipse (coinciding with Holi festival).
On April 8th 2024-A total solar eclipse. (though not visible in India)
Save the dates.
Ready for action
— Prof RV (@TheTechocrat) March 14, 2024
In the Gregorian reckoning, which commences the year on January 1st, the lunar eclipse of March 25th holds the distinction of being the year's inaugural eclipse. However, the Hindu tradition observes a different temporal framework, with the Hindu New Year, or Nav Samvatsar, commencing on the Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month, which is set for April 9th, 2024.
From the perspective of the Hindu calendar, therefore, the lunar eclipse coinciding with Holi on March 25th signifies the conclusive eclipse of the year, rather than its inception.