‘Rahu-Ketu kshetram’: Srikalahasti temple remains open during lunar eclipse

The famed Srikalahastheeswara Swamy Devasthanam in Srikalahasti town of Tirupati district was kept open during the lunar eclipse on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) and devotees were allowed to have darshan of the deity, as per the ancient practice.

All major temples in the State remained closed during the eclipse period and were reopened after the mandatory purificatory rites.

The Srikalahastheeswara shrine is considered as ‘Rahu Ketu Kshetram’ and hence the famous ‘Rahu Ketu Puja’ is performed here everyday. According to temple legends, Lord Shiva (Srikalahastheeswara) had taken control of the two mythological rogue serpents that cause the solar and lunar eclipses, and hence it is believed that they cast no evil effect on this temple.

Since there is no need for any purification or atonement (Prayaschitha), this particular temple always remains open during solar/lunar eclipses. However, special ‘Abhishekam’ (celestial bath) was given to the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum during the eclipse period.