Ayodhya, March 1: The first lunar eclipse of 2026 is set to occur on March 3, leading to the closure of temples across the country. The Ayodhya administration and temple management have already informed devotees to avoid any inconvenience.
According to astrological beliefs, the eclipse will begin at 3:19 PM and last until 6:07 PM. It will be clearly visible in India. A significant period known as ‘Sootak’ will commence nine hours before the eclipse, which is considered highly important from a religious perspective.
Due to this Sootak period, all major temples will be closed to the general public from approximately 8 AM until 8:30 PM. During this time, no devotees will be allowed to enter the temples. This rule will apply to all major and renowned temples in the district, including the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
District Collector Nikhil Tikaram Punde stated that it is customary for temples in Ayodhya to close during lunar eclipses, and no public access will be permitted on these dates and times. He emphasized that all major temples in the district will remain closed for darshan on March 3. After the eclipse concludes and rituals are completed, the temples will reopen, allowing devotees to participate in darshan and worship as usual. Therefore, visitors planning to come to Ayodhya on this day should schedule their visit accordingly.
On March 3, not only in Ayodhya but across the country, temple doors will be closed to the general public during the eclipse, with access granted only after its conclusion.
