Kamal Ghorui
Travellers planning a spiritual sojourn to Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir today should know that darshan timings at the city’s most prominent landmark have been changed because of the Lunar Eclispse 2026. The announcement was made by Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. It said that the Ram Mandir will remain closed to devotees on March 3 due to the year’s first total lunar eclipse between 9 AM and 8:30 PM in the evening.According to official information, the temple will remain closed for almost 11 hours on Tuesday. It also mentioned that during this period, no public darshan will be allowed. No body will be allowed inside the temple premises. The decision has been taken in keeping with long-standing Hindu religious traditions. As per traditions, the temples should remain closed during the duration of a lunar eclipse and open only after purification and bathing rituals are performed.
Understanding traditional belief systemsAs per Hindu beliefs, a lunar eclipse, full or partial, is considered a spiritually charged and sensitive period. According to traditional practice, during this period, temples suspend all kinds of religious practices. The temple doors remain shut and nobody is allowed to touch idols during the eclipse. The rituals of worship only resumes after purification rites are completed. Following this custom, the trust has temporarily paused darshan at the Ram Mandir. Officials have clarified that this is only a precautionary and customary measure. Normal temple operations will resume once the eclipse ends.Morning and Night Darshan DetailsEarly-morning aartis took place as usual before the closure came into effect. But after 9 AM, the temple started the shutak rituals. As the eclipse gets over, the temple is expected to reopen around 8:30 pm for the cleansing rituals. Night-time prayers and darshan will be allowed.What travellers should knowAyodhya’s Ram Mandir is one of the prime attractions in the city visited by thousands of pilgrims. The temple has been experiencing a steady growth in the number of pilgrims and tourists since the consecration of the Ram Mandir. But given the Lunar Eclipse event, the temple will not allow darshan for hours. With March 3 coinciding with the festival of Holi, travellers must plan their visit accordingly.Therefore, devotees and tourists are advised to avoid a trip to Ram Mandir between 9:00 am and 8:30 pm today. Local authorities and the temple administration have urged devotees to only rely on official announcements.
