Kanaka Durga temple doors to close on March 3 for lunar eclipse

Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam management on Wednesday (February 18) announced that the gates of the Kanaka Durga temple will be closed on March 3, 2026, to observe a partial lunar eclipse.

Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik said Agama Sastra practices dictate temple procedures during celestial events. The closure will affect the main temple as well as all associated sub-shrines located on Indrakeeladri Hill, ensuring that all religious protocols are strictly followed during the eclipse.

To prepare for this event, the temple administration will shut the doors to the public starting at 10 a.m. on March 3. Additionally, the customary Giri Pradakshina, which involves devotees trekking around the holy hill, has been cancelled for the day to ensure the safety and spiritual compliance of all pilgrims. The temple will undergo a series of purification rituals, including Suddhi and Snapanabhishekam. While the temple doors are scheduled to reopen at 3 a.m. on March 4, the initial hours will be dedicated to internal Vedic ceremonies.

Several early morning services, including Suprabhatam, Khadgamala Archana, Navagraha Shanti Homam, and Ganapathi Homam, have been cancelled for the following morning. Normal public access for Sarva Darshanam is expected to resume at 8 a.m. on Wednesday once the purification process is fully complete.

All Arjitha Sevas, which typically begin at 7.30 a.m., will be pushed back to start at 8:30 a.m.