Bengaluru, Mar. 03: In view of the Ketugrasha lunar eclipse across the state on Mar. 3, the darshan timings of major temples including Bangalore, Mysore, and Udupi have been changed. During the eclipse, sanctuaries are closed, and then special pujas are performed after purification.
In many places in the state including Bangalore, special puja-rituals and changes in darshan timings have been announced in temples in the wake of the Raktachandra (Ketugrasha) lunar eclipse that will take place on the full moon day of Palguna Shukla tomorrow (March 3, Tuesday). Religious leaders have clarified that there will be no disruption to religious practices since the eclipse is also celebrated on the same day.
Special puja at Kadu Mallikarjuna Temple in Bangalore
Special puja arrangements have been made in the wake of the lunar eclipse at Kadu Mallikarjuna Temple in Bangalore. Devotees will be allowed to have darshan till 12 noon. Then, before the eclipse begins, the sanctum sanctorum is closed for darshan. The temple doors are reopened at 7 pm, and after the Tirtha-Punya and purification rituals, Ksheerabhishekam and Panchamrutha Naivedya are offered to the Moon and Kadu Malleshwara.
Darshan will be given to the devotees till 9.30 pm. The Navagraha Shanti Homa will be performed the next day. The almanac indicates that one should take a bath and offer prayers after the eclipse. Temple priest Sharath said that since some zodiac signs have defects, it is auspicious to offer prayers and donations.
Vijayanagar: Eclipse time details, Hampi temples closed
Eclipse time in Vijayanagar district: Eclipse contact: 3.20 pm, Madhyakaal: 5.04 pm, Moksha Kala: 6.47 pm During this period, the sanctum sanctorums of most temples, including the Hampi Virupaksheshwara temple, will be closed. Priests have advised people to perform puja, charity and dharma according to their zodiac signs.
Udupi: Eclipse celebrations at Sri Krishna Math
Dr. Udaya Saralattaya, the dean of the Sri Krishna Math in Udupi, has given information about the eclipse celebrations. The Grastodaya lunar eclipse will take place on March 3, and the eclipse will be visible only from 6.19 pm to 6.47 pm at sunset in our area. The eclipse will be visible for only eight minutes.
Like Ekadashi, there will be no food reception at Krishna Math on that day. There will be no lunch and dinner. The night puja will be held after bathing at 7 pm. The math will be open during the eclipse as well. An evening procession will be held on the occasion of Holi, and a procession will be taken to the Kadiyali temple. The next day, as usual, Mahapuja and Annadhana will be held in the afternoon. Anushtana will be held at Madhva Sarovar during the eclipse.
Hassan-Belur: Sanctum sanctorum of Channakeshavaswamy temple closed
On March 3, the historic Sri Channakeshavaswamy temple in Belur town of Hassan district will offer prayers by 9 am and then the sanctum sanctorum will be closed. After the eclipse ends, after 7 pm, the Mahanaivedya will be performed along with the Tirtha-Punya, temple worship, Abhishekam and Samprokshan. On that day, only the sanctum sanctorum will be closed and tourists can visit the temple. The devotees will be allowed to have darshan the next day, March 4. Chief priest Srinivas Bhat has appealed that if those who perform the eclipse puja donate buckwheat and rice, they will get peace.
Chamarajanagar: Darshan allowed at Male Mahadeshwara Hill
Darshan will be allowed at Male Mahadeshwara Hill in Chamarajanagar district during the eclipse as well. It has been informed that the eclipse has no effect on Mahadeshwara and devotees can have darshan without restrictions. After the eclipse, religious rituals will be performed and darshan will be allowed again, said Raghu, Secretary of the Development Authority.
Mysore: Change in darshan timings at Chamundeshwari Temple
The temple at Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore will be closed at 2 pm due to the lunar eclipse. The doors will remain closed until 8.30 pm. Special pujas will be held during the eclipse contact, mid-day and moksha periods, and public entry has been restricted during this time. Darshan will begin as usual from 7.30 am on March 4.
Overall, in the wake of tomorrow’s blood moon eclipse, emphasis is being placed on traditional rituals in the temples of the state, and the temple administrations have appealed to devotees to observe the changes in darshan timings and cooperate.