Devotees of Lord Ram take note: March 3, 2026, brings temple closures across Ayodhya for the inaugural lunar eclipse. Expect no entry from morning sutak till nightfall, a ritual steeped in Hindu astronomy.
Grahan begins 3:19 PM, ends 6:07 PM—prime viewing in India. Nine-hour pre-eclipse sutak clamps down around 8 AM, extending bans to 8:30 PM at key sites including Ram Mandir.
Ayodhya District Collector Nikhil Tikaram Funde confirmed the protocol: ‘Standard practice here—temples close during eclipses, reopening post-puja.’ Alerts ensure smooth pilgrim flow.
This mirrors closures in temples countrywide, a unified front against perceived impurities. Smart travelers will sidestep the date, maximizing darshan on adjacent days amid Ayodhya’s rising pilgrimage fame.
Zooming out, lunar eclipses in scripture demand ‘sutra’ discipline, fostering inner focus. Ayodhya, reborn with its grand temple, embodies this harmony—where lunar shadows prompt deeper faith, not disruption.