Skywatchers across the country and the globe turned their gaze upward as a dramatic lunar eclipse unfolded on March 3, 2026 evening, turning the full moon into a darker orb.As Earth’s shadow moved steadily across the lunar surface, the Moon shifted its shade from a bright white to deeper shades of amber and red. The changing hues drew many to gather on terraces and open grounds for a clear view of the spectacle.
The celestial spectacle was also witnessed in several other parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
A total lunar eclipse took place across several time zones.The phenomenon occurs when the entire Moon passes through the Earth’s umbral shadow. A partial lunar eclipse, in contrast, takes place when only a part of the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow.The next total lunar eclipse is not likely to take place until 2029.
(With ANI inputs)
Photo:
V. Raju
The lunar eclipse seen in Visakhapatnam on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
The “blood moon” is seen during the lunar eclipse in Guwahati on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
The “blood moon” seen in New Delhi on March 3, 2026 during the eclispe.
Photo:
B. Velankanni Raj
The “blood moon” rises in the partially-eclipsed phase in Chennai on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
Pallavi Keswani
The “blood moon” is seen over the New Delhi sky on March 3, 2026 during the lunar eclipse.
Photo:
M. Periasamy
People in Coimbatore witnessed the rare celestial phenomenon on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
M. Sathyamoorthy
The partial phase of the lunar eclipse as seen from Udhagamandalam on March 3, 2026. evening.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
The full moon after the eclipse phase is visible in Srinagar on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
K.V.S. Giri
The partial phase of the lunar eclipse is visible in Vijayawada on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
Nagara Gopal
The full moon glows orange after the lunar eclipse in Hyderabad on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
AFP
The blood moon is seen in Havana on March 3, 2026 during the total lunar eclipse.
Photo:
AP
A total lunar eclipse is seen over the N Seoul Tower in Seoul on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
AFP
A view of the blood moon during the total lunar eclipse in San Jose, Costa Rica on March 3, 2026.
Photo:
AP
A total lunar eclipse is seen through statues at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Quezon City, Philippines on March 3, 2026.
Published – March 03, 2026 08:20 pm IST