Priests of the Kanaka Durga temple performing kavata bandhanam, a ritual to close the temple doors, for the lunar eclipse in Vijayawada on Tuesday (March 3). | Photo credit: KVS GIRI
Priests of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, the Kanaka Durga temple, performed kavata bandhanam, a ritual to close the temple doors, due to the lunar eclipse on Tuesday (March 3).
On top of Indrakeeladri, apart from closing the main temple, the temple priests closed the doors of other temples in view of the partial lunar eclipse that occurred on Phalguna Pournami under Viswavasu Nama Samvatsaram.
As recommended by the temple 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 am on Tuesday (March 3), coinciding with the beginning of the Ketu-grasta partial lunar eclipse.
After the eclipse (Moksha Kalam) ends, the temple doors will be reopened on Wednesday (March 4) at 3:00 am. Then Snapana Abhishekams will be performed to the deities, followed by Archana, Maha Nivedana and Harati rituals. Devotees will be able to have darshan on Wednesday from 8:00 AM.
In view of morning purification and ritualistic ceremonies, several Arjitha Sevas scheduled for dawn including Suprabhatam, Vastra Seva, Khadgamala Archana, Navagraha Shanti Homam and Ganapati Homam were cancelled. Arjitha Sevas usually starts at 7.30 am and will start at 8.30 am instead
The closing and reopening rituals were performed in the presence of temple chairman Borra Radhakrishna, managing director VK Seena Nayak, chief priest L Durga Prasad, special invitee V Shankar Babu and other officials.
Published – March 3, 2026 3:03 PM IST
