Eclipse Forces Closure of Tirumala Temples

Tirumala Sri Venkateswara temple, along with other TTD-run temples, closed for over 10 hours due to a lunar eclipse, reopening after purification rituals. Darshan resumed at 8.30 pm. Various sevas and darshan categories were cancelled on account of the eclipse to maintain traditional practices.

The Tirumala Sri Venkateswara temple and other temples operated by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) were temporarily closed for over 10 hours in response to a lunar eclipse on Tuesday. These sacred sites only reopened after the completion of traditional purification rituals.

According to a temple official, darshan resumed at 8.30 pm following these ceremonies at the Sri Venkateswara temple. Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple in Tirupati and other temples under TTD jurisdiction also observed similar practices, adhering to eclipse-related restrictions.

The lunar eclipse lasted from 3.20 pm to 6.47 pm, with temple doors closing nearly six hours prior in accordance with customary practice. Temples at Tiruchanoor, including Sri Padmavathi Ammavari, Sri Suryanarayana Swamy, and Sri Srinivasa, reopened at 7.30 pm. The event led to the cancellation of several sevas and darshan categories, such as the Astadala Padapadmaradhana Seva and Kalyanotsavam, alongside various special entry darshans.

(With inputs from agencies.)