Devotees Alerted TN Temples Closed Today Due to Lunar Eclipse

In view of the first total lunar eclipse of 2026 occurring today (March 3) from 3:20 PM to 6:47 PM, major temples across Tamil Nadu, including those in Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Kanchipuram, have announced temporary closure of their sanctum doors during the eclipse period. As per established Hindu ritual practice, darshan will be suspended while the eclipse is in progress, and devotees will be permitted entry only after purification procedures and remedial rituals are completed following the celestial event, temple administrations stated.

Temples and Locations Affected:
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam in Tiruchirappalli, Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram, Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tirupparankundram, Solai Malai Murugan Temple (Azhagar Kovil).

Closure and Reopening Timings:
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple to close after the 8:20 AM poojas and reopen at 7:30 PM, Tirupparankundram Temple to close at 8:20 AM and reopen at 7:35 PM, Solai Malai Murugan Temple to close at 1:00 PM and reopen at 5:30 AM on March 4, with no night darshan available today.

Eclipse Details and Ritual Practices:
Total duration of 3 hours and 27 minutes, suspension of worship during the eclipse, temple premises to undergo ritual cleansing after the eclipse, special parihara poojas and additional ceremonies to be conducted before reopening to devotees.

Advisories for Devotees and Public:
Annadanam centres to remain non-operational during the period, tourists and outstation devotees advised to plan travel accordingly, possibility of heavy footfall in the evening hours after reopening, additional security arrangements put in place by temple authorities.

Temple administrations have urged devotees to take note of the revised timings and cooperate with the arrangements made in view of the eclipse.