Puri: On the occasion of the Bhadraba Purnima lunar eclipse on September 7, special rituals will be conducted at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The schedule was finalized on Tuesday evening during a meeting of the Chhatisha Niyog at the temple office.
As per the decisions, all rituals of Lord Jagannath will be completed by 12 noon on the day of the eclipse. From 12:57 PM, the Paka Tyaga (abstaining from cooking) period will begin, during which no deity-related rituals will be performed.
The lunar eclipse will start at 9:57 PM and conclude with Sarvamoksha (complete liberation) at 1:27 AM. Following this, the Dwaraphita ritual will be held at 2:00 AM, and the Mangala Arati at 2:40 AM.
The Chhatisha Niyog also discussed the resumption of queue-based darshan from the Natamandap, which is scheduled to begin on September 15.
Astronomers note that this will be the second and final lunar eclipse of the year, visible across India as well as in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, America, and Fiji. The eclipse is expected to appear red, a rare celestial phenomenon popularly known as the “Blood Moon.”
During the Paka Tyaga period, all auspicious activities are prohibited. Devotees are advised to prepare food before 12:57 PM and to place Tulsi leaves in the prepared food to protect it from the effects of the eclipse.
However, the leaves must be collected prior to the onset of the abstinence period.
