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**Headline: Temples Defy Eclipse Shadows: Doors Remain Open for Devotees During Celestial Events**

**Gaya, Bihar / Ujjain, MP / Kottayam, Kerala -** Defying traditional practices, several prominent temples across India are keeping their doors open during solar and lunar eclipses, prioritizing the needs of devotees and upholding unique customs. Unlike many temples that close during the *sutak kaal* (inauspicious period) associated with eclipses, these temples maintain their rituals and access for the faithful.

The **Vishnupad Temple** in Gaya, Bihar, renowned as a site for *pind daan* (ancestral offerings), remains open during eclipses. It is believed that performing *pind daan* during this time is especially auspicious. Devotees flock to the temple to offer prayers for their ancestors at Vishnu’s footprints.

Similarly, the **Mahakal Temple** in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a revered shrine to Lord Shiva, does not close during eclipses. While the timing of *aarti* (prayer rituals) is adjusted, devotees are permitted to visit and offer prayers throughout the eclipse period.

The **Laxminath Temple** has an interesting story that led to remaining open during eclipses, after priests closed doors during the *sutak kaal*. According to the temple’s legends, once Lord Laxminath appeared as a child, ate sweets from a sweets seller because the temple doors were closed and nobody could offer him any food. This is why the Laxminath Temple never closes during eclipses.

In Kerala, the **Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple** in Kottayam district also maintains its regular schedule during eclipses. Legend has it that the idol of Lord Krishna becomes thinner if the temple is closed during an eclipse, due to hunger. One time when the temple doors were closed, the idol had visibly lost weight and its waist band had slipped. Consequently, the temple has since upheld the practice of keeping its doors open and continuing rituals even during eclipses.

These temples highlight the diversity of religious practices in India and demonstrate a commitment to serving devotees, even amidst celestial phenomena traditionally considered inauspicious. The ongoing traditions serve as important reminders of the cultural significance and deep-rooted beliefs that are woven into the fabric of Indian society.

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