TIRUPATI: The hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala will remain closed from 4.30 pm on Monday till 2 am on Tuesday in the event of lunar eclipse. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams joint executive officer KS Sreenivasa Raju has requested devotees to plan their trips accordingly.
Speaking to mediapersons in Tirumala, the JEO said the eclipse would stretch from 10:52 pm on Monday to 12:48 am on Tuesday. “Temple doors are usually closed six hours prior to eclipses. After performing punyahavachanam suddhi, early morning arjitha sevas will be performed as usual,” he said and added that sarva darshan would commence by 7 am on Tuesday.
In accordance with a long standing practice, no food will be served six hours prior to the eclipse, hence annadhanam at Annaprasadam Complex and along queue lines will be stopped temporarily till the temple is reopened and suddhi done.
The TTD has also cancelled arjitha sevas including visesha puja, kalyanotsavam, unjal seva, arjitha brahmotsavam, vasanthotsavam and sahasra deepalankara seva on Monday. Thomala and archana will be performed as ekantham.