Solar eclipses are rare astronomical phenomena that captivate the attention of people worldwide. This year, on 8 April, a total solar eclipse will grace the skies, but unfortunately, it will not be visible in India. Consequently, people in India will be unable to witness this celestial spectacle.
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In Hindu religious belief, temples often close their doors during the occurrence of a solar eclipse. The reasons behind this practice vary across different cultures and geographical areas, but let us delve into some of the explanations.
6 reasons for keeping temples closed, halting puja during solar eclipse
First, an eclipse leads to the dispersion of abnormally large negative radiation. This disruption affects the influence of the yantras (sacred geometric diagrams) within the temples, consequently impacting the spiritual disposition of the worshippers. To maintain the sanctity and purity of the temple environment, it is customary to close the temples during an eclipse.
Additionally, it is advised to refrain from worshipping murtis at home during a grahana. While some argue that worship should not take place during the actual eclipse phase of the sun, others believe that no religious practices should be performed during sutak kaal, a Hindi term for ashaucha periods associated with inauspiciousness.
Second, it is widely acknowledged that planetary motions have an impact on the earth and all living beings. For instance, the moon’s gravitational pull influences the tides of the sea. Similarly, during a solar eclipse, it is believed that there is a significant negative charge present on Earth.
Temples, on the other hand, are designed to attract astral energy and positively charge their followers. However, during a solar eclipse, these beneficial effects are thought to be reversed. Therefore, to safeguard the spiritual energy within the temples, they are temporarily closed. Once the eclipse concludes, the temples are promptly reopened.
Third, another perspective suggests that the energy field surrounding the consecrated deities within the temples may weaken during an eclipse due to the combined gravitational pull of the sun and moon. This weakening of the energy field is believed to have occurred during the installation rituals and chants. To preserve the sanctity and power of the deities, temples close their doors during a solar eclipse.
Fourth, invocation mantras are traditionally used to position deities in temples. However, it is believed that if the deity is visible during an eclipse, the efficacy of these bijamantras* may diminish, necessitating their closure. Conversely, some view eclipses as an opportunity to recite mantras to enhance their potency, ensuring that all rituals are conducted in the same manner as during the deity’s installation.
This practice uses the alignment of the earth, moon and sun to calculate time and the panchanga.
* The recitation of a bījamantra during a ritual is a way to invoke a deity, believed to be the deity’s true name and a representation of the deity in sound. Often depicted in religious art, a bījamantra symbolises a specific deity and is considered a mystical sound composed of the initial characters of the deity’s name. Chanting this mantra is thought to help a follower attain spiritual purity and is linked to the body’s chakras. By chanting a seemingly nonsensical bījamantra, a follower absorbs its fundamental essence and merges directly with the deity.
Fifth, the occurrence of an eclipse, whether lunar or solar, is considered an ominous event for the world and its inhabitants, as these celestial bodies provide light and vitality to our planet. Consequently, temples, cultural centres and places of worship are closed during such times.
To counteract the negative effects of an eclipse, it is advised that individuals engage in prayer, meditation and charitable acts.
Lastly, throughout history, various cultures have adhered to the tradition of closing temples during eclipses as a mark of reverence for the cosmic forces at play during these celestial events. This practice is deeply rooted in religious customs and beliefs, symbolising a harmonious relationship with the universe.
The closure of temples during a solar eclipse is rooted in various beliefs and practices. Whether it is to protect the worshippers from negative radiation, maintain the positive energy within the temples, or safeguard the sanctity of the deities, this tradition holds significance in Hindu religious culture.
Citations from Puranas
An eclipse in Hindu texts is classified as either Suryagrahana, a solar eclipse, or Chandragrahana, a lunar eclipse. Scholars believe that the beliefs surrounding eclipses are closely linked to Vedic deities and were significant in both astrology and astronomy during ancient times in India when education was not compartmentalised.
The origin of eclipses is explained in the Puranic story of the Samudra Manthana, which narrates the churning of the ocean. In this legend, Rahu, an asura, tried to deceive the gods by disguising himself as a deva to obtain amṛta, the nectar of immortality. However, Surya and Chandra, the deities of the Sun and Moon, alerted Mohini, the incarnation of Vishnu. Mohini swiftly beheaded Rahu with His Sudarshana Chakra, but Rahu had already consumed the nectar and become immortal.
Rahu’s severed head was cast into the heavens. As a consequence of their involvement in his decapitation, Rahu is believed to occasionally swallow the Sun and Moon entirely for a certain period, resulting in solar and lunar eclipses.
In other texts, the eclipse is associated with Svarabhanu, who is sometimes identified as the asura whose head became Rahu. According to the Mahabharata, the sun god Surya is also described as an “enemy of Svarabhānu”. Svarabhānu was said to strike both the Sun and Moon with arrows, and they were revived by Atri, as mentioned in the Rigveda.
The Skanda Purana recounts a legend in which sages witness a woman living in the forest transform into a beautiful being after bathing in a sacred lake during a solar eclipse. This implies that a solar eclipse is considered a means of attaining salvation.
According to the Padma Purana, offering water to one’s ancestors during a solar eclipse is believed to nourish them and lead to heavenly rewards. Failing to do so would result in becoming a Chandala. It is believed that all water is as sacred as the Ganges during this period, and all Brahmins are considered as venerable as the Sage Vyasa. Additionally, any offerings made during a lunar eclipse are considered to be 100,000 times more effective, while offerings made during a solar eclipse are believed to be 1,000,000 times more effective.
The Narada Purana provides calculations of the forecasts of solar and lunar eclipses, as well as various other celestial occurrences.
According to the Brahmavaivarta Purana, those who partake in bathing rituals during a full moon, an eclipse, and auspicious occasions attain the divine abode of Vishnu, known as Vaikuntha.
The above notwithstanding, a grahana is not shorn of rituals, even as most regular forms of worship are forbidden.
Rituals to ward off omens
Believers maintain that a grahana is a sign and engage in specific practices before, during, or after its occurrence.
During a solar eclipse, some individuals may fast for up to 6 hours before the event. Meals are typically prepared after the eclipse has passed, and guidelines for meal consumption at specific times during the eclipse are outlined in the Kurma Purana.
In the initial and final stages of an eclipse, a devout Hindu may partake in a ritual bath for purification and offer prayers to their ancestors. Pilgrimage sites near rivers are often crowded with worshippers during a grahana in certain areas.
Pregnant women are thought to be particularly vulnerable to the eclipse’s effects and are advised to strictly follow religious restrictions during the event to prevent birth defects in their offspring. It is believed that being born during an eclipse brings bad luck, and priests are called upon to offer blessings to such individuals.
Simultaneously, a grahana is viewed as an auspicious time to recite mantras that are believed to ward off negativity.
