Blood Moon 2018: Temples offer 'puja' after lunar eclipse on July 27

A total lunar eclipse will take place on July 27-28 and it's going to be one of the longest in this century. It is called the 'Blood Moon' as the moon will appear to be slightly red in colour during this night due to the scattering of sunlight through the atmosphere of the earth.

The event will last for four hours but according to reports by Inquisitr, the eclipse will go on for about an hour and 43 minutes. The eclipse will reach its peak sometime around 8:22 p.m UTC or 1:52 a.m IST.

The Blood moon is also considered inauspicious in Hindu religion. Most of the temples across India close during the eclipse period. Most conduct rituals during both Solar and Lunar Eclipse. The temples re-open after performing these rituals.

The famous Tirupati temple always shuts down during the occurrence of Lunar Eclipse and only opens up after the Shuddhi (purification) and other sanctifying rituals.

Other temples in south India have special rituals for the influence of the Lunar Eclipse.

A signboard outside one Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari Temple in Bengaluru, the Lunar Eclipse, also known as 'Grahan', will start at 11:54 p.m on July 27, 2018. At 1:51 a.m, the eclipse will reach its peak followed by its end at 3:49 a.m. It also offered 'Shanti' for those who are affected by it due to their zodiac sign.

According to the Hindu zodiac calendar, the eclipse reportedly affects people with zodiac signs of Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces and the temple announced that it would carry out rituals and puja for the Zodiac under the influence of the eclipse.

Several religious beliefs are attached to the occurrence of the Blood Moon. Some are myths while others are backed by scientific reasons.

Some religious groups even believe that its occurrence is a sign of the coming apocalypse. During this hour, people with extreme religious beliefs end up committing crimes by performing sacrifice rituals as they believe that the eclipse might usher in evil spirits.