Madurai: Meenakshi Amman temple to stay closed on October 25 for solar eclipse

MADURAI: The Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai city as well as its 22 satellite temples will remain closed for eight hours on October 25, in view of the occurrence of solar eclipse, announced temple officials.
As per a statement from A Arunachalam, deputy commissioner/executive officer, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, it was mentioned that the solar eclipse is set to occur between 5.23pm and 6.23pm on October 25, which is a Tuesday.
“On the particular day, pujas will be performed in the morning, following which the doors of the temple would be closed from 11am. The doors will then remain closed till 7pm and public will not be allowed for darshan,” said the statement. Further, by 5.51pm on the day, special pujas in view of the solar eclipse would be performed.
However, devotees will be allowed to enter for darshan only after 7pm when the temple doors are opened again.
The statement also noted that this would apply for all satellite temples of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, including popular temples in Madurai such as Mariamman temple and Muktheeswarar temple in Teppakulam, and Adhi Chokkanathar temple in Simmakkal, among others. While 21 satellite temples are located in Madurai, the Deivanayaga Perumal temple is in Sivagangai district.