Read here To know what is an eclipse and how it came into existence.

Avoidable and recommendable works during Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan:

It is advisable to avoid performing any important work or deal.

After Grahan, many Hindus perform ritual bath. Take meal only after the ritual bath. Taking a dip in rivers or lakes is auspicious.

Many Hindus observe fasting on the day of Surya or Chandra Grahan. The fast begins about 9 hours before the beginning of Grahan.

Avoid outside food during Grahan and as well as the whole day. Perform ritual bath, Puja, Japam, havan and all other rituals only after Grahan Moksh Kaal (the time when grahan is released).

Avoid eating at the time of Grahana.

Avoid eating the food which is cooked before Grahan. Take the food which is cooked after Grahan. People can eat the food that is prevented from ‘Soothak (Ashouch). To prevent food from Soothak, just spill some til seeds or keep grass blades (Durva grass) on the food before grahan.

Doing charity during the time of Grahan, also gives many benefits.

During Surya Grahan, reciting Surya Stotras such as Aditya Hridayam; Maha Mritunjaya Mantram, Siva Panchakshari, Lalitha Sahsranama and Vishnu Stotras (Vishnu Sahasranama, Vishnu Astakshari) is highly auspicious and people can also chant Gayatri mantra, Dhoomavati mantra, Chinnmasta mantra, Chamunda mantra, Durga mantra, Mahavidhya mantra.

Chanting mantras at the time of eclipse is much more powerful. And when you chant 108 times during this period it is equivalent to 10,000 times or more! So meditation and chanting are highly recommended during this period.

Some Precautionary Measures for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women are most delicate people to look after during Surya or Chandra Grahan. Pregnant women should take some precautions to avoid bad effects of surya Grahana or Chandra Grahana.

The first and foremost precaution that every pregnant woman has to take is to avoid seeing or looking at the Grahana. Even though, it is visible to naked eye, pregnant women should avoid seeing graham.

Stay at home and do not go outside during the grahana.

Avoid cutting vegetables or fruits or any other material. Many Hindus believe that cutting any material will result the pregnant women a cleft organ child.

In some regions, pregnant women avoid sleeping during the Grahana.

For normal and safe delivery, pregnant women recite Santana Gopala Mantram and Surya Stotras like Aditya Hridayam and other Surya Mantras, Maha Mritunjaya Stotram.

Santana Gopala Stotra (a mantra to chant during graham by pregnant women) keeps up the health of the pregnant woman as well as the child (Garbhastha Shishu).

Sanatan Gopala Mantra

“Om Devaki Sudha Govinda
Vasudeva Jagath Pathe
Dehimey Thanayam
Krishna Thwamaham
Saranam Kadhahaa
Deva Deva Jagannatha
Gothra Vridhi Karap Prabho
Dehimey Thanayam Sheegram
Ayushmandham Yashashreenam!”

Dates of Lunar and Solar eclipse 2017