Thousands in India took a holy dip in the Ganges before a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, as temples closed during the sacred sutak period.

On March 3, 2026, thousands of devotees in India, particularly in Haridwar, took a holy dip in the Ganges before the start of the sutak period, a nine-hour sacred observance preceding a total lunar eclipse. Temples nationwide closed their doors, halting rituals and fasting, as the eclipse began at 3:20 PM IST, with totality from 4:34 PM to 5:33 PM and ending at 6:48 PM. The India Meteorological Department confirmed the eclipse had a magnitude of 1.155, visible across India, Eastern Asia, Australia, and parts of the Americas. Devotees arrived early to complete rituals, though some missed aarti or temple visits due to closures. Temples reopened after the eclipse, conducting purification rites before resuming worship.