Sutakसूतक

A purification period observed before and during a visible eclipse, during which certain activities (eating, cooking, worship, touching deity idols) are traditionally avoided.

In practice

Only appears when a solar or lunar eclipse is both visible from your location and within 3 days. Solar eclipse Sutak begins 12 hours before the eclipse; lunar eclipse Sutak begins 9 hours before. It ends when the eclipse itself ends, after which a bath and charitable giving traditionally mark the return to normal activity.

How it's calculated

Fixed 12-hour (solar) or 9-hour (lunar) lead time before the eclipse's own start, ending at the eclipse's end.

Related terms

Eclipses (Grahan) →