Temples Across India Close During Lunar Eclipse and Sutak Kaal, Reopen After Rituals

On March 3, 2026, temples across India, including the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple and others managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), closed for 10 hours due to the lunar eclipse and the associated Sutak Kaal, an inauspicious period before the eclipse. Temples suspended darshan and religious activities, reopening in the evening after purification rituals. This tradition involves closing temple doors several hours before the eclipse and resuming worship post-eclipse following cleansing ceremonies.