Tirupati Temple Closes during Eclipse
BY: SUN STAFF
Oct 3, USA (SUN) — Lord Venkateswara famous temple at Tirupati will be closed today for the annular solar eclipse, as will nearby temples throughout the region. The temple closures are protective measures on this most inauspicious event. The temple which sits atop Tirumala hills, and at least eight other temples in the surrounding area, will close for the duration of the solar event. The closures will affect scheduled Brahmotsavam activities.
Temple authorities are particularly reactive to this eclipse because it will be quickly followed by a lunar eclipse. Having two eclipses occur in within a fortnight is relatively rare, and seen as inauspicious by many spiritual cultures around the world. In some European traditions, this astrological event is known as the 'dark night of the soul'.
Lord Venkateswara famous temple at Tirupati will be closed today for the annular solar eclipse, as will nearby temples throughout the region. The temple closures are protective measures on this most inauspicious event. The temple which sits atop Tirumala hills, and at least eight other temples in the surrounding area, will close for the duration of the solar event. The closures will affect scheduled Brahmotsavam activities.
Temple authorities are particularly reactive to this eclipse because it will be quickly followed by a lunar eclipse. Having two eclipses occur in within a fortnight is relatively rare, and seen as inauspicious by many spiritual cultures around the world. In some European traditions, this astrological event is known as the 'dark night of the soul'.
Many pilgrims at Kurukshetra will be taking a holy dip in Brahmsarovar during the solar eclipse. Mela officials have been making special arrangements to prevent pilgrims from drowning, deploying many boats and divers to locate and rescue pilgrims. At least three devotees were drowned here during the 2003 solar eclipse. This year, over 10 lakh pilgrims are expected to immerse themselves in the holy waters in Brahmsarovar and Sanhit sarovar at Kurukshetra.
Astrologers report that this solar eclipse has special importance because it is occurring on Somavati Amavashya after more than a century. Bathing during this period is said to give devotees the fruits of “Ashav Megh Yajna”.
In India, the eclipse will be partially visible in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Orissa.
