Raksha Bandhan 2026: Auspicious timings and lunar eclipse details

Raksha Bandhan and Sawan Purnima will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026. According to the Hindu calendar, the Purnima तिथि begins on the morning of August 27 and concludes on the morning of August 28.

An auspicious window for tying rakhis is identified between 5:57 AM and 9:48 AM on August 28. This period is considered favorable as it falls after the end of Bhadra, which is expected to conclude before sunrise on the 28th. However, Rahu Kaal is noted to occur between 10:46 AM and 12:22 PM on the same day, a period traditionally avoided for auspicious activities.

A partial lunar eclipse will also occur on August 28, 2026. While the eclipse will be visible in parts of North America, Europe, Africa, and South America, it will not be visible in India. Consequently, religious restrictions such as Sutak Kaal will not apply to the festival within India.

From a religious perspective, Islamic scholars note that participating in Raksha Bandhan is not permitted in Islam, as it is a Hindu religious tradition. For those celebrating, gift ideas such as photo collages, handwritten letters, and personalized hampers are suggested to honor the sibling bond.