solar eclipse

 on Wednesday.

Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Srisailam and all other major temples were opened after the priests performed rituals such as ‘Samprokshana’. The temples were closed by Tuesday evening on account of solar eclipse on Wednesday. The priests performed ‘snapana abhishekam,’ etc, at the Kanaka Durga temple.

They took a pre-eclipse holy dip and performed special poojas. Priests and devotees were seen performing ‘japam’ (chanting of holy names etc.) during the eclipse time.

Government Agama advisor Lakavajjula Subrahmnaya Siddhanthi, quoting religious texts, said that the japam during eclipse period would give higher reward. And darshan of raavi chettu (peepul tree) after eclipse would double the japha phala, he said.

People gathered in good numbers at bathing ghats on the Krishna banks to take a holy dip during the eclipse period. The devotees, however, had to content themselves with shower bath arranged at Kanaka Durga Nagar. The Durga ghat was closed due to ongoing repair work and very low water levels. The ghat is filled with filth and dust. Devotees had a harrowing time for the past few days as the water was not fit for a holy dip.