VARANASI: All the temples as well as organisations engaged in performing daily Ganga aarti have advanced or postponed the timings of aarti in view of the
lunar eclipse on Friday.
In totality, the century’s longest lunar eclipse of one hour 42 minutes and 57 seconds duration which will take place between 11.44 pm and 1am. The partial effects of this eclipse will be till 3.49am.
The Kashi Vishwanath temple’s chief executive officer Vishal Singh said that the timing of Mangla aarti, which is performed at wee hour after which the sanctum sanctorum’s gates are opened for devotees, has been postponed. The temple priests said that the revised timing will be announced later. In view of the lunar eclipse, the temple’s doors will be closed in late afternoon, they said.
The
Gangotri Seva Samiti has decided to advance the evening Ganga aarti performed by it at old
Dashaswamedh Ghat. Samiti’s president Babu Maharaj said that as per Hindu mythology the 'Sutak-Kaal’ will start nine hours before the eclipse at 2.54 pm.
“In view of it the daily Ganga Aarti, which is performed in the evening, will take place at 1 pm”, he said adding the lunar eclipse taking place on the occasion of
Guru Purnima will be of 235 minutes, which will end at 3.49 am.
