A unique sight unfolded in Varanasi as the renowned Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, usually held every evening in all its grandeur, was completed during the afternoon hours. This adjustment was necessitated by the lunar eclipse and the preceding Sutak period, during which performing any worship, rituals, or havan dedicated to deities is strictly prohibited. Operating strictly under traditional religious customs and classical scriptures, the Ganga Seva Nidhi committee decided to reschedule the sacred ritual.
The lunar eclipse occurring across the country holds immense religious and astronomical significance. Temples throughout Varanasi made special arrangements in anticipation of this celestial event. The Sutak period for the eclipse commenced at 12:57 PM and remains in effect through the night. According to schedule, the lunar eclipse will officially begin at 9:57 PM and conclude at 1:27 AM. Bathing in the holy river and making donations along the banks of the Ganga carry profound ritualistic value once the eclipse concludes.
According to updates shared by the Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration, the temple doors will be shut two and a half hours prior to the eclipse. The evening Shayan Aarti is scheduled from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, after which the sanctum doors will be closed. While Sutak rules typically require temple doors to remain shut across most shrines, unique traditions apply to the abode of Baba Kashi Vishwanath.
Traditionally, the onset of a lunar eclipse draws large crowds to the ghats of Kashi, but floodwaters have submerged several areas this time, resulting in fewer gatherings along the riverbanks. To mitigate the adverse energetic influences of the eclipse, scriptures recommend engaging in continuous mantra chanting. Afterward, ritual bathing and charity remain vital practices for devotees.
From a scientific perspective, this celestial phenomenon occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align in a straight line. Concurrently, traditional beliefs mandate pausing all temple worship during the eclipse, resuming rituals only after purification rites once the event passes. This lunar eclipse will be visible not only across Varanasi but throughout India, and it is also being identified as a total lunar eclipse or Blood Moon.
