New Delhi, March 3 -- Temples across India closed their gates on Tuesday as the 'Sutak Kaal' (inauspicious period) began ahead of the first lunar eclipse of the year, with priests saying the doors will reopen after the eclipse ends in the evening.

In Bengaluru, the gates of Shri Kadu Malleshwara Swamy Temple were closed as the Sutak Kaal commenced.

Similarly, in Sambalpur, Odisha, the gates of Maa Samaleswari Temple were closed as the inauspicious period began ahead of the lunar eclipse.

In Kanpur, the Nageshwar Shiva Temple remained closed during the Sutak Kaal of the lunar eclipse.

Similarly, in Ranchi, the gates of the Pahari Temple remained closed as the Sutak Kaal begins today in the early morning.

A temple priest in Kanpur expl...