File picture of the planetarium in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 7: The total lunar eclipse will be partially visible to the people of Odisha tomorrow evening.

However, there are chances of the sky remaining clouded during the period.

Keeping an eye on the eclipse, the administration has changed their daily schedule of rituals at major temples despite the day being Kumar Purnima. Generally, people restrain themselves from cooking and eating, as they believe this eclipse to be inauspicious.

On the other hand, authorities of the Pathani Samant planetarium said they would conduct a special show during the daytime for people to see this extra-terrestrial event.

One of the officials said the show would begin at 2.45pm and continue till 6.04pm. However, between 5pm and 6pm, the eclipse may be visible for the naked eye though there are chances of cloud gathering.

“Though we have not planned for organising any such event for the eclipse, we may organise a special show during daytime in addition to the regular shows for public,” said Subhendu Pattnaik, deputy director of the planetarium.

This is the second and last lunar eclipse of the year, while the first one occurred on April 15.

A lunar eclipse takes place on the full moon night when the sun, earth and the moon come in a straight line with the moon passing through the shadow of the earth.

According to local beliefs, consuming food is banned during the lunar eclipse. Cooking and consumption of food, therefore, is restricted from 5.42am till 6.04pm.

“So, we will observe a mini fast,” said Soudamini Mishra, a home-maker.

Rituals of the Jagannath temple in Puri have been rescheduled. The temple got closed at 10pm today. Tomorrow’s rituals will start from 12.30am. The rituals will be over by 5.45am with the deities being offered prasad.

Similarly, the Lingaraj temple administration has also changed the timing of its rituals.

From 5.30am to 6pm, no ritual will be carried out in the temple.

The darshan has also been prohibited. The temple trust board has issued a notice asking the shopkeepers not to sell any item used to worship the deities inside and outside the temple.

“The violators will be punished according to the rules,” said Abani Pattnaik, chief executive of the Lingaraj temple administration.