What is the story about?
There's a partial lunar eclipse on Raksha Bandhan this year. And, one question is on everyone’s mind when it comes to tying Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan: what
is the right time to tie the rakhi on August 28? There is also some confusion around Bhadra and Rahu Kaal.
Raksha Bandhan Will Be Celebrated on August 28
In 2026, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Friday, August 28. The full moon, or Purnima, tithi begins at 9:08 am on August 27 and ends at 9:48 am on August 28. This is why the tradition of tying Rakhi will be observed on August 28.There Is No Concern About Bhadra
The good news for those celebrating Raksha Bandhan is that Bhadra will have ended by the morning of August 28. According to the Panchang, Bhadra will end before sunrise on Raksha Bandhan. This means there will be no restriction on tying Rakhi because of Bhadra.For the unversed, in Vedic Astrology, Bhadra Kaal is an inauspicious time period when people avoid conducting sacred rituals, ceremonies or have festive celebrations.
Auspicious Time to Tie Rakhi
According to the Delhi Panchang, the auspicious time to tie Rakhi on August 28 will be from 5:57 am to 9:48 am. Sisters can therefore tie Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists during this period. The start time may vary by a few minutes in different cities because of differences in sunrise times, but the Purnima tithi will end at 9:48 am."The best time to tie Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan is during Aparahna which is late afternoon according to Hindu division of the day. If Aparahna time is not available then Pradosh time is also suitable to perform rituals related to Raksha Bandhan," states Drik Panchang.
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It also adds, "Raksha Bandhan rituals should not be done during Bhadra. Bhadra is malicious time which should be avoided for all auspicious work. Most Hindu religious texts, including Vratraj, advise to avoid Bhadra time to tie Rakhi during Raksha Bandhan festival."
What About Rahu Kaal?
Rahu Kaal is expected to fall from around 10:46 am to 12:22 pm, although the exact timing may vary slightly depending on the city. Importantly, the auspicious window for tying Rakhi ends at 9:48 am. This means the main Rakhi ritual will be completed before Rahu Kaal begins, so there is little reason to worry about it.Lunar Eclipse on Raksha Bandhan
The final lunar eclipse of the year will also take place on August 28. The partial phase of the eclipse will last from around 8:04 am to 11:22 am Indian time, with the maximum eclipse occurring at approximately 9:43 am. This is why the coincidence of Raksha Bandhan and a lunar eclipse on the same day has attracted so much attention.Will Sutak Be Observed in India?
The most important point is that this lunar eclipse will not be visible from India. During the eclipse, the Moon will remain below the horizon in India. As a result, the Sutak period associated with the eclipse is not considered applicable in the Indian region.Hence, there isn't a need to change the timing of Raksha Bandhan rituals because the lunar eclipse is occurring on the same date.
When Should You Tie Rakhi?
According to the Panchang, Rakhi can be tied on August 28 between 5:57 am and 9:48 am. Bhadra will already have ended, while the lunar eclipse will not be visible in India. Sisters can therefore comfortably perform the Rakhi ritual during the morning hours.Disclaimer: This article is based on popular beliefs. Times Now is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information and facts provided here.
