Bhubaneswar, March 3 -- As the sutak kaal began Tuesday morning ahead of the total lunar eclipse, temples across New Delhi, Kanpur, Madurai and other parts of the country remained closed in observance of the celestial event.

At the Meenakshi Amman Temple, devotees gathered in large numbers before dawn to offer prayers before the doors were shut. Gopalakrishnan, who was celebrating his 60th birthday, said he and his family arrived early after authorities announced the morning closure. Another devotee, Valarmathi, noted a heavy rush as many sought darshan before the temple closed.

"This is the first lunar eclipse of the year. All doors (of the temples) have been closed after Mangala Aarti. At 7:00 pm, all doors will be opened, baths will ...