Priests of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, Kanaka Durga temple, performed kavata bandhanam, a ritual to close the temple doors, on account of a lunar eclipse on Tuesday (March 03).
Atop Indrakeeladri, the temple priests, apart from the closure of the main temple, closed the doors of the other temples in view of the partial lunar eclipse occurring on Phalguna Pournami under the Viswavasu Nama Samvatsaram.
As per the recommendations of the temple’s Vedic committee and in accordance with Agama Sastra traditions, the doors of the presiding deity Sri Ammavari temple and other sub-temples were closed at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (March 3), coinciding with the commencement of the Ketu-grasta partial lunar eclipse.
Following the conclusion of the eclipse (Moksha Kalam), the temple doors will be reopened at 3.00 a.m. on Wednesday (March 4). Thereafter, Snapana Abhishekams will be performed to the deities, followed by Archana, Maha Nivedana, and Harati rituals. Devotees will be allowed for darshan from 8.00 a.m. onwards on Wednesday.
In view of the early morning purification and ritual ceremonies, several Arjitha Sevas scheduled at dawn, including Suprabhatam, Vastra Seva, Khadgamala Archana, Navagraha Shanti Homam, and Ganapati Homam, have been cancelled. Arjitha Sevas normally commencing at 7.30 a.m. will instead begin at 8.30 a.m.
The closure and reopening rituals were carried out in the presence of Temple Chairman Borra Radhakrishna, Executive Officer VK Seena Nayak, Chief Priest L. Durga Prasad, special invitee V. Shankara Babu, and other officials.
