Temples unshuttered : Why these sacred sites stay open during eclipses, know the reason

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : The first full lunar eclipse of the year is scheduled for March 3rd. While most temples close their doors and halt worship during the eclipse, there are some temples where this rule doesn't apply. Even during the eclipse, the doors of these temples remain open, allowing devotees to visit. This surprises many, but there's a specific reason behind it.

The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain is a prime example of this. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and its doors are never closed. It is said that Lord Shiva, in his Mahakal form, is self-manifested and is unaffected by eclipses. Therefore, whether there is an eclipse or anything else, the main door of the temple remains open, allowing devotees to continue worshipping.

Delhi's Kalkaji Temple is also quite famous in this regard. It is believed that Goddess Kalka is the mistress of the time cycle and controls all the planets and stars. This is why eclipses have no effect on this temple. Devotees visit the temple even during eclipses, and the temple doors remain open.

The Kalpeshwar Temple in Uttarakhand also remains open during eclipses. Lord Shiva controlled the flow of the Ganges River here, and therefore, the temple's doors are not closed. Devotees experience peace of mind and body upon visiting.

The Sri Krishna Temple at Thiruvarppu in Kottayam, Kerala, is also unique. Here, Lord Krishna is offered ten times a day, and it is believed that the Lord is very hungry. This is why the temple doors are not closed even during eclipses, so that the Lord can be offered food.

The Vishnupad Temple in Gaya is also special in this regard. The offering of Pind Daan here holds special significance, and the temple's doors remain open even during eclipses so that devotees can offer Pind Daan to satisfy their ancestors.

The Lakshminath Temple in Bikaner, Rajasthan, also has a unique story. It is said that once, during an eclipse, the temple's doors were closed and the deity was not offered food. The deity expressed his hunger in a dream to a confectioner at a nearby shop. Since then, the tradition has continued: the temple's doors are never closed during eclipses.