Eclipse shortens Thaipusam praying hours

GEORGE TOWN: Since ancient times, the lunar eclipse has been treated as a time when divine forces are at their weakest.

Because light and energy from the sun or moon are blocked and cannot reach the Earth, even witches and sorcerers favour the lunar eclipse as a time to work their evil.

Unfortunately, a total lunar eclipse will happen on Jan 31, which coincides with Thaipusam. This will force temples nationwide to bring the rites to an earlier end.

Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple here will stop the prayers by 6pm to make way for the astral occurrence.

Devotees fulfilling their vows are required to offer their vows at the temple by 5.30pm, and by 6pm, the temple will draw the curtains to shield the consecrated idol, Lord Muruga, and statues of other deities.

Rites and ceremonies will only resume the following day at 6am.

This is the first time in living memory that a total lunar eclipse will happen on Thaipusam, said Hilltop Temple chairman Datuk R. Subramaniam, pointing out that it will be from 6.51pm to 11.11pm.

A total lunar eclipse, also called Blood Moon because it will look red, happens when Earth comes between the sun and the full moon and blocks the sun’s rays.

Subramaniam said prayers must be halted during the eclipse, which causes negative radiation from the sun and moon.

“The last prayers, known as Arthajama Poojai, will be conducted at 5.45pm and the curtains will be drawn at 6pm on all the deities in the temple.

“However, the temple will still be open for devotees to enter but they cannot offer prayers to deities,” he said yesterday.

Subramaniam reminded kavadi bearers to start their journey to the temple earlier to reach the hilltop temple between noon and 4pm.

He added that the temple is expecting a bigger crowd on Thaipusam eve and the morning of the festival.

“Usually, 95% of the devotees will throng the temple on the eve and by noon of Thaipusam.

“Only between 20 and 30 kavadi bearers will take their time dancing along the route and reach the temple late at night,” he said, advising bearers to be extra early this year.

The total phase of this lunar eclipse will be visible in large parts of New Zealand, Australia and central and eastern Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Hindu temples nationwide are expected to be closed during the occurrence.