Lunar Eclipse 2026: Ayodhya Temples to Remain Closed on March 3, Darshan After 8:30 PM

News Desk: Ayodhya is set to observe temple closures on March 3 as the first lunar eclipse of 2026 unfolds, prompting a temporary suspension of darshan and regular worship across the holy city.

Temple authorities confirmed that the eclipse will occur in the afternoon, with the traditional Sutak period beginning nearly nine hours earlier. In keeping with religious norms, temple gates are likely to shut around 8:00 AM, restricting public entry for the day.

Darshan will remain suspended at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, including the sanctum of Ram Lalla. Other prominent shrines such as Kanak Bhawan, Dashrath Mahal, and Hanumangarhi will also remain closed to devotees during the eclipse window. Monasteries and smaller temples across the city are expected to follow suit.

Regular worship and public darshan are scheduled to resume around 8:30 PM, after customary purification rituals.

Devotional Observances to Continue Indoors

While temple doors will remain shut, priests will continue chanting, sankirtan, and traditional prayers inside the sanctums, maintaining spiritual observances during the celestial event. Authorities have urged devotees to take note of the revised schedule to avoid inconvenience.

Eclipse Details: Deep Total Lunar Eclipse

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth completely covers the Moon in its shadow, while a partial eclipse happens when only a section of the Moon is obscured.

Key Details:

• Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

• Magnitude: 1.155 (deep total eclipse)

• Visibility: India, East Asia, Australia, and the Americas

Timings in India (IST):

• Eclipse begins: 3:20 PM

• Totality starts: 4:34 PM

• Totality ends: 5:33 PM

• Eclipse ends: 6:48 PM

In most parts of India, the final phase of the eclipse will be visible at moonrise. However, in parts of northeastern India and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, even the concluding segment of totality may be visible.

With spiritual traditions and celestial spectacle coinciding, Ayodhya is preparing for a day of solemn observance and astronomical significance.