Varanasi evening Ganga Aarti advanced due to lunar eclipse

According to an official statement from the Chief Minister's office, "sacred land of the Ganga River, Yamuna River, the Char Dham, Adi Kailash and several revered Shakti Peeths, Uttarakhand has long been a center of faith for Sanatan followers across the world. In this context, the state government is making efforts to promote Uttarakhand as a major hub for religious and spiritual tourism and pilgrimage, which is also expected to boost economic activities in the state."

Shri Chandreshwar Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh celebrated the festival of colours, Holi, on wednesday. On the auspicious occasion of Holi, the Shivling at the temple was beautifully adorned with abeer, gulal, and flowers. During the morning aarti today, the devotees offered gulal to the Shivling and started the holi celebration.

According to temple authorities, the eclipse will commence at 3:21 PM and continue until 6:47 PM. As per established religious customs followed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple will be closed from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM.

Former Director (Research and Academic) at MP Birla Planetarium, Dr Debinrosad Duari, said that although a total lunar eclipse will occur on Tuesday, skywatchers in India will only be able to witness a partial phase as the Moon will be below the horizon during the full eclipse.

Temples across India closed their gates on Tuesday as the 'Sutak Kaal' (inauspicious period) began ahead of the first lunar eclipse of the year, with priests saying the doors will reopen after the eclipse ends in the evening.

Hariom Vashishth from Rohtak said he had arrived a day earlier and completed the ritual bath before the eclipse began. He explained that a fast is observed during the sutak period, during which devotees refrain from drinking water, eating food, or performing any rituals. He added that the eclipse is scheduled from 3:20 pm to 6:47 pm, while the sutak period begins nine hours prior, leading to the closure of temple doors.

Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain celebrated Holi festival during the early morning Bhasma Aarti on Tuesday, with the sanctum sanctorum drenched in gulal and Lord Mahakal adorned with bhang (cannabis) and dry fruits in a divine decoration.

At the Meenakshi Amman Temple, devotees gathered in large numbers in the early hours to offer prayers before the temple doors were shut.

Kalkaji Peethadheeshwar Mahant Surendranath Avadhut on Monday said that Holika Dahan will be observed on March 3, following the conclusion of the lunar eclipse.

According to the India Meteorological Department, a total lunar eclipse will occur when the whole Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth, and a partial lunar eclipse occurs only when a part of the Moon comes under the shadow of the Earth.