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Set against the golden backdrop of Rajasthan’s desert jewel, the Blood Moon Festival 2025 promises an unforgettable fusion of celestial wonder and cultural splendour. As the rare blood moon rises over the majestic dunes, the city of Jaisalmer comes alive with vibrant folk performances, mystical rituals, and stargazing celebrations. This unique festival not only honors the ancient lunar traditions but also showcases the rich heritage of Jaisalmer, making it a must experience event for all the travellers and skywatchers alike.
About the Jaisalmer Blood Moon Festival 2025
Hosted by Starscapes, which is one of India’s leading astrotourism companies, the Jaisalmer Blood Moon Festival 2025 centers around the total lunar eclipse, which is also popularly known as the ‘Blood Moon’. Taking place from September 6 to September 8, 2025, when the Earth's shadow casts a reddish hue on the moon, this event is as magical as it gets.
All set to be held at the Shama Desert Camp, which is nestled in the heart of the Thar Desert, the Blood Moon Festival at Jaisalmer is a beautiful spectacle worth witnessing under some of India’s clearest skies.
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Main events and festival highlights
From star gazing Jaisalmer to astrophotography, here’s all that you can expect at the Jaisalmer Blood Moon Festival 2025-
1. Total lunar eclipse watch
Expert StarGuides walk you through every phase of the eclipse. Track down the celestial spectacle from the penumbral beginning to its totality. Experience it all with telescopes and live commentary as you witness the moon slowly darken and transform into a mirror of the Earth’s shadow.
2. Stargazing in the Thar
Enjoy stargazing in Jaisalmer with sessions featuring constellations, planets, and even deep sky objects at the Jaisalmer Blood Moon Festival this year. Spot seasonal highlights and learn all about the mythology behind the desert skies as you trace patterns with laser pointers in this event.
3. Lunar and celestial photography
Apart from Jaisalmer star gazing, you can also learn about astrophotography techniques and capture the Moon in eclipse with guided tips at the Blood Moon Festival in Jaisalmer. From framing shots with DSLRs or smartphones to capturing the Moon’s dramatic reddening against the dunes, the Jaisalmer Blood Moon Festival this year is truly worth the experience.
Astrotourism in India
With more and more tourists heading away from the cities in search of beautiful night skies, astro tourism in India is currently booming. Offering a mesmerising escape into the cosmos, and blending ancient stargazing traditions with modern celestial explorations, astro tourism is currently flourishing. From clear, and unpolluted skies of Ladakh and Spiti to the dark sky sanctuaries of Rann of Kutch and Coorg, travellers can witness dazzling meteor showers, constellations and planetary alignments. With growing observatories, astronomy festivals, and local guides sharing the cosmic folklore, India is fast emerging as a stellar destination for skywatchers seeking awe and wonder under the night sky.
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Check out some of the destinations for astro tourism in India
1. Ladakh
A place where the sky meets the soul, Ladakh is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, which is one of the world’s highest. Lying beneath the velvet sky peppered with constellations, Ladakh offers an ethereal experience where every night sky is a celestial celebration. The thin atmosphere and near zero pollution makes it one of the darkest skies in India, which is perfect for stargazing.
The best time to visit Ladakh is from May to September. Join a stargazing session with the local guides and spot Saturn’s rings through a telescope for an immersive experience.
2. Rann of Kutch
During the Rann Utsav, this salt desert becomes a canvas not just for the culture and colours, but also for the constellations. The white expanse of this place reflects the starlight, which creates an illusion of walking on a glowing galactic floor. The perfect place to visit for astrophotographers and night sky enthusiasts, camp in the desert and capture the time lapses of star trails while you are at the Rann of Kutch. November to February makes for the ideal time to visit the Rann of Kutch.
3. Spiti Valley
Remote and raw, Spiti Valley is a paradise for those seeking dark skies and dramatic landscapes. A true galaxy garden in the Himalayas, visit Spiti in between the months of June and September for the best experience, where you can stay at the homestays and hear local legends while stargazing beside yak wool blankets.
4. Coorg
Majorly known for its misty hills and aromatic coffee plantations, Coorg quickly transforms into a cosmic amphitheatre by night. Boasting of low pollution and clear skies, Coorg is the southern gem for night sky seekers. Visit during the months of October to March to experience meteor showers while sipping on steaming filter coffee.
5. Taregna
Located in the state of Bihar, Taregna literally translates to ‘counting stars’. A humble town with significant astronomy history, this place is perfect for astro tourism in India. Visit during the winter months, in between October and February for the best experience, and pair your visit with a solar or lunar eclipse event for the added awe.