Ordinarily, during eclipses many temples remain closed. Yet, certain ancient Shiva temples stay open and continue their rituals even during such times. The foundation of this lies in the truth that the essence of those deities cannot be touched by the so-called impurity of eclipses. The Vedas and Upanishads whisper to us a profound secret: “Īśāvāsyam idam sarvam” — the entire universe is pervaded by the Lord. Even if the sun disappears, even if the moon vanishes, the light of the Self forever shines. External phenomena cannot ever touch the Supreme. The Purāṇas glorify the Sapta Vītanga Sthalas and the Pañcha Bhūta Sthalas. In Tiruvarur, Lord Thyagaraja is celebrated as the One “untouched by eclipse or blemish.” Similarly, the Pañcha Bhūta temples of Tiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram, and Kalahasti — symbolizing fire, earth, air — represent eternal principles that never waver. They remind us, even during eclipses, of the changeless truth. The Āgamas describe Chidambaram’s Lord Nataraja as “N...
