Temples to close early on Sunday in view of lunar eclipse

BENGALURU: Several temples in the city will have changed their timings on Sunday, September 5, in view of the lunar eclipse. A rare and prolonged lunar eclipse will be visible across India on September 7 and 8. The eclipse will start at 9.57 pm on September 7 and end at 1.26 am on September 8.

This lunar eclipse will be a rare phenomenon, and the Moon will appear reddish in colour during this time. The eclipse will be visible from all parts of India and it will be a full lunar eclipse where the entire Moon will pass through the Earth’s shadow.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple

The Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple at Gavipuram Extension will close as early as at 11 am on Sunday. According to the temple’s chief priest, Somasundara Dikshit, “During a solar eclipse, we close the temple a little before the eclipse. However, during a lunar eclipse, we need to close the temple about six hours prior.

“We will offer ksheera (milk) naivedya to Lord Gangadhara at 11 am, no other prasad is offered except milk. The temple will remain closed until the next morning. After the eclipse, we cannot perform purification immediately. Instead, we will perform purification the next morning, and darshana will resume after that”.

Banashankari Temple

The Banashankari Devi’s birth anniversary coincides with the lunar eclipse. On the day of the eclipse, special puja will be performed from 5 am, and Chandika homa will be conducted as part of her incarnation. Darshan will be available until 4 pm, after which the temple will close at 4.30 pm. The next morning, the temple and premises will be purified at 6 am.

Gaali Anjaneya Temple

On the day of the eclipse, the temple will close at 3 pm and darshan will not be allowed after 2.30 pm. From 2:30 pm to 3 pm, darbhe (grass) will be placed inside the temple. After the eclipse, Shanti puja will be performed the next morning, and normal darshan will resume.

Kadu Malleshwara Temple

On the day of the eclipse, the temple will close at 12.30 pm and will open at 4 am on the next day. Darshan will be available until 2.30 pm. During the eclipse, darbhe (grass) will be placed on all the deities.The temple will be opened at 4 am the next day after the eclipse and purification will be done. Normal darshan will be allowed followed by Rudra Homa and Prasad Seva according to the temple authorities.