Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22 -- The first lunar eclipse of the year will occur on March 3, coinciding with Phalguna Purnima, also observed as Dola Purnima. The celestial event is being viewed as significant from both religious and astrological perspectives, particularly in Odisha where temple rituals will align with the eclipse timing.

According to the almanac approved by the Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha of Srimandir in Puri, the eclipse will commence at 3:20 pm and conclude at 6:47 pm, lasting a total of 3 hours and 27 minutes.

Temple sources confirmed that the schedule has been determined as per the prescribed panjika. The total duration and the period of totality have been calculated in accordance with traditional astronomical and religious gui...