Priests Issue Ritual Guidelines
Jamshedpur/Ranchi: Priests and temple authorities across Jharkhand closed sanctum sanctorums on Tuesday morning as the first lunar eclipse of 2026 approached. The celestial event, described as a “rising eclipse,” has triggered strict adherence to religious protocols, with major shrines across the state suspending public darshan.
Pahari Mandir and Major Shrines Observe ‘Sutak’
In Ranchi, the prominent Pahari Temple led the state in observing the Sutak Kaal—the inauspicious period that precedes an eclipse.
“A lunar eclipse is taking place, and following traditional mandates, we have closed the temple doors,” stated Manoj Kumar, a priest at Pahari Temple. He explained that the Sutak period commenced exactly nine hours before the eclipse, during which all idol worship and formal rituals remain prohibited.
Timing and Visibility in Jharkhand
The lunar eclipse begins at 3:20 PM and will conclude by 6:48 PM. While the event spans over three hours, experts suggest it will be a “rising eclipse” for the region. Because Jharkhand sits in the eastern part of India, devotees will likely witness the celestial phenomenon for a limited window of about 20 minutes as the moon rises.
Ritual Guidelines for Devotees
Religious leaders across the region, including Satyendra Ji Maharaj, have issued specific guidelines for the public to follow during the eclipse period:
- Spiritual Practice: Priests encourage devotees to chant mantras of their Ishta Devta (deity) or Guru at home, noting that spiritual practices during an eclipse yield “multiplied spiritual benefits.”
- Food Safety: Families should place Tulsi (holy basil) leaves in any food cooked before the eclipse. Tradition dictates that people should only consume this food after the eclipse ends and they have performed purification rituals.
- Exceptions: Priests clarified that elderly individuals and those requiring essential medications are exempt from strict fasting rules.
Impact on Local Worship
From the Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar to local Hanuman temples in Jamshedpur, the Sutak period has silenced the usual morning bells. Priests have draped curtains over deities and advised followers to engage in silent prayer rather than ritualistic offerings. Once the eclipse concludes after 6:48 PM, temple authorities will perform “Shuddhikaran” (purification) rituals, including washing the idols and premises with Ganga water, before reopening for evening prayers.
