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
"The temple will be closed at 11 pm as usual which is two hours before the Lunar Eclipse. After the Eclipse will be over, we will perform Moksh puja and open the temple. The Lunar Eclipse timing will be during the time when the temple remains closed as usual. Hence it won't affect the darsha