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Blood moon total lunar eclipse: Should you fast during Chandra Grahan 2025? Know dos and don’ts to follow during sutak

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India will witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events of the decade – a total lunar eclipse – on the night of September 7-8. It is this year’s second and final lunar eclipse. Popularly known as a Blood Moon, this celestial phenomenon occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that gives the lunar surface a deep red glow. The eclipse will begin taking shape around 8:57 pm IST, with the rare Blood Moon phase unfolding from 11 pm to 12:22 am on September 8, lasting around 82 minutes and offering a rare and vivid spectacle for sky-watchers nationwide.

India will witness a rare total lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, on the night of September 7 and 8.(AFP)

Also Read | How to watch total lunar eclipse tomorrow? Check timings, visibility, locations

The rare event will also be visible from parts of Europe, Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand, but will not be visible to people in North and South America.

While total lunar eclipses are always rare, this one is especially significant since it also coincides with Pitru Paksha Purnima, a day revered for ancestral rituals. In Hindu tradition, many people observe fasting and other rites during Chandra Grahan, seeing it as an auspicious time for spiritual reflection, purification, and performing sacred rituals to honour their ancestors. Here’s why many choose to fast during a lunar eclipse, and why traditional beliefs caution against consuming food during this celestial event.

Sutak rituals and food

In Hindu tradition, the period before and during a lunar eclipse, known as Sutak, is considered spiritually sensitive and inauspicious. It begins roughly nine hours before totality and continues until the eclipse ends, according to Pratidin Time. During Sutak, many households avoid eating, cooking or performing auspicious activities, seeing it as a sacred time for reflection and self-discipline. Temples often remain closed and reopen only after purification rituals have been carried out after the eclipse.

Sadhguru explained in an April 2015 blog on Isha Foundation’s website that a lunar eclipse triggers energy cycles compressed into just a couple of hours, similar to a full moon’s effects: “During lunar eclipses, what would happen in 28 days over a full lunar cycle is happening in a subtle way over the course of two to three hours of the eclipse. In terms of energy, the earth’s energy is mistaking this eclipse as a full cycle of the moon.”

In this heightened state, cooked food is believed to deteriorate, he shared: “Certain things happen in the planet where anything that has moved away from its natural condition will deteriorate very fast. This is why while there is no change in raw fruits and vegetables, there is a distinct change in the way cooked food is before and after the eclipse. What was nourishing food turns into poison.” Hence, fasting is advised to keep the body light, alert, and energetically aligned.

Traditional beliefs also caution that pregnant women, children, and the elderly are more vulnerable during eclipses, according to a September 4 report on Zee News. Avoiding food and staying indoors are seen as protective measures. While modern science disproves any physical harm, these practices persist as cultural safeguards based on traditional scriptures.

Also Read | Blood Moon 2025: When and how to watch the total lunar eclipse in India | Details

What does science say?

Astronomers and scientists agree that eclipses pose no physical danger and there’s no scientific basis for food turning toxic during a lunar eclipse. According to an interview by Rediff with Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of Science, Communication, Public Outreach and Education (SCOPE) Section, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, lunar eclipses are simply Earth’s shadow crossing the Moon – a breathtaking yet harmless natural occurrence. Observers can safely enjoy the event, eat, and carry on with normal activities without fear.



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Redditor who travels 100+ days a year for work shares 11 tips for smooth trips

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If your new desk job isn’t too tedious and you happen to travel for work, catch many flights to new destinations, then brace up because travel in reality is a lot more than just simply rolling into the airport and jetting off celeb-style. No, in practice, there’s a lot of juggling between different priorities, like running between airport gates or battling a jet lag headache.

Know the common mistakes so that your journey goes smoothly. (PC: Freepik)

ALSO READ: Want to travel cheaper? 11 hacks to cut hidden costs on your trip

Responding to a similar issue of how frequent work flights can be hectic, a Redditor who travelled over 100 days a year for work, posted on the subreddit casual conversation about his go-to work trip tips that prevent any hassle because his precautionary measures anticipate them beforehand.

11 tips for work flights

Make sure you reach airport before time. (PC: Freepik)

Flying has its own hurdles (don’t get distracted by the measly lounge discount), which makes it essential to have a checklist on hand to avoid the stress of last-minute inconvenience.

The redditor revealed that they gained ‘experience’ by the ‘repetition’ of taking flights for work. They posted 11 tips, which cover everything from airport essentials to hotel hacks.

The first one specifically ‘may sound like your parents,’ as the Redditor noted, because it may sound like advice from your parents, but certain hacks, even if they are old-school, are still worth paying attention to because they are still relevant for solving real problems.

The list they shared also included tips concerning hotel bookings and hygiene aspects:

1. Leave early:

I know this sounds like your parents, but I would rather have an extra 90 minutes to kill at the airport than have a traffic jam or a detour make me miss a flight. I can still work in a booth/chair at the airport if I need it. Yes, I’ve heard the argument of the “hours gained/lost” by waiting, but if it’s a difference of working for an hour at home or at the airport with no ‘stress’, then choose the latter.

2. Spray hand sanitiser:

Spray hand sanitiser, not aerosol, from a pump. Good for your hands, a public toilet seat in an emergency or the random sticky surface in the rental car.

3. Sanitising wipes:

Never turn down the sanitising wipes on the flight. See number 2. I personally use them for my noise-cancelling headphones or backups for the above.

4. Noise-cancelling headphones:

Noise-cancelling headphones with an audio jack. Don’t just rely on the Bluetooth working on the flight.

5. Get a battery pack:

Buy a battery pack. When you absolutely need a plug in the airport, you’ll never find it. Even better if you rely on your laptop for work, buy one that can output 65-100 W from a single line (not combined output). Yes, they are heavier, but take out the guesswork.

6. Use clothes hangers with clips:

Use the clothes hangers with the clips in the hotel to hold the blackout curtains together.

7. Hack for light sleepers:

If you’re a light sleeper, get the highest floor in the hotel. No kids running the hall on the floor above.

8. Get habituated to background noise while sleeping:

Learn to sleep with background noise. I use an app on my phone at home and on the road. Same app, same white noise sound.

9. Travel with advil:

I travel with Advil/tylenol and 4 mucinex. If I hit a wall, then I can make it through a couple of days until I can get home or to a pharmacy without having to panic.

10. Utensils for food on the run:

Grab a couple of the wrapped utensils from a fast food place, a few napkins and a couple of straws. Nothing more frustrating than getting food on the run and then trying to eat your pasta without silverware or a to-go cup and no straw.

11. Add large carabiner:

Add a large carabiner to your backpack (6” ‘stroller hook-sized). You can use it to hang your bookbag from stall walls or in a variety of places if there’s no hook. Also comes in handy for water bottles or ball caps, or even a grocery bag when you’re running out of hands.

What other things do you need to keep in mind?

The other responses also confirmed that arriving at the airport on time does help reduce the stress of rushing and worrying about missing a flight.

They also shared plenty of other useful tips, like travelling with an eye mask and earplugs if you need to sleep on the plane or get a noisy co-passenger.

One user also mentioned downloading the apps for all the airlines and hotel chains they use, and even saving any contacts one may need after landing. This precaution is because sometimes the airport navigation stress can get to your head and make you panic, hence this keeps your things sorted as you land.

But not all the tips are foolproof. One response recounted how booking a room on a higher floor backfired, and they ‘regretted’ when it was right above a noisy bar or nightclub. So while some tips are objectively helpful, some others need to be modified as per your specific situation.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them. This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.



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Air India Express Starts Daily Direct Flight Between Dehradun and Bengaluru

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Air India Express has commenced operations from Dehradun Airport with the launch of daily direct flights to Bengaluru. The first flight on the Dehradun–Bengaluru route was flagged off by Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, in the presence of other dignitaries.

Welcoming Air India Express to Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister, said, “The start of Air India Express services from Dehradun marks an important milestone for civil aviation in our state. Enhanced connectivity to Bengaluru will provide a significant boost to tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in Uttarakhand, while also strengthening links for students, professionals, and entrepreneurs with one of India’s most dynamic cities. We welcome Air India Express and look forward to the positive impact this connectivity will bring to our people and economy.”

With this launch, guests from Dehradun gain convenient one-stop connectivity to 18 destinations including Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, North Goa, Pune, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam through Bengaluru.

Flight Schedule from September 15, 2025 (All timings are local)

Departure 

Arrival 

Departure 

Arrival 

Frequency

Dehradun

Bengaluru

16:30

19:30

Daily

Bengaluru

Dehradun

12:50

16:00

Daily

Commenting on the occasion, Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “We are delighted to commence operations from Dehradun, our 58th station, with daily direct flights to Bengaluru, our largest domestic hub. This is the third new station launched this month, following Ahmedabad and Chandigarh, underscoring the rapid expansion of our network. The new route not only connects Uttarakhand directly with Bengaluru’s economic and educational hubs but also offers convenient one-stop connections to 18 more cities across India. With our fleet now crossing 115 aircraft, we are scaling up, building a stronger, more accessible network that reflects the aspirations of modern India.”

As part of its ‘Tales of India’ initiative celebrating the country’s diverse art and culture, the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft deployed to operate the first flight from Dehradun proudly features a livery inspired by ‘Aipan,’ Uttarakhand’s traditional art form of floor and wall paintings.

 



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IndiGo and AEGEAN Launch Codeshare Partnership to Enhance Connectivity Between India, Greece, and Europe, ETTravelWorld

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IndiGo, India’s largest airline, and AEGEAN, Greece’s flag carrier, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a codeshare partnership aimed at strengthening connectivity between India, Greece and Europe. The cooperation, subject to regulatory approvals, will enable both airlines to place their codes on each other’s flights, broadening travel options and offering integrated itineraries for customers.

As part of their expansion plans, IndiGo has announced direct services to Athens beginning in January 2026 with six weekly flights. AEGEAN, in turn, will commence operations to India from March 2026, starting with five weekly flights to Delhi and later adding three weekly flights to Mumbai.

Under the proposed agreement, AEGEAN’s “A3” code will be placed on multiple IndiGo routes across India and South Asia, giving AEGEAN passengers improved access to the region. IndiGo’s “6E” code will be added to AEGEAN’s European and domestic services from Athens International Airport, enabling Indian passengers to connect seamlessly to destinations across Greece and wider Europe. The partnership will also provide benefits such as through check-in for passengers travelling on codeshare itineraries.

Commenting on the agreement, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with AEGEAN, marking a significant step forward in our mission to give wings to India and enhance global connectivity. This collaboration enables our customers to conveniently book seamless itineraries on an expanded, integrated network across both airlines, including beautiful islands in Greece and other regional European destinations.”

Eftichios Vassilakis, Chairman of AEGEAN, added: “We are delighted to establish a strategic partnership with IndiGo, one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world. This step expands AEGEAN’s footprint beyond Europe into one of the world’s most dynamic markets, strengthening the bridge between Greece and India. By combining IndiGo’s extensive domestic network with AEGEAN’s European reach, we offer passengers more choices and convenience, along with a seamless travel experience.”

The collaboration is expected to play a key role in boosting cultural, business and tourism exchanges between the two countries, while enhancing connectivity for travellers across South Asia and Europe.

  • Published On Sep 16, 2025 at 11:32 AM IST

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