Tirumala temple to remain closed for 10 hours on March 3 due to lunar eclipse

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced that the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala will remain closed for around 10 hours on March 3 in view of the lunar eclipse.

According to TTD officials, temple rituals will be suspended during the eclipse in accordance with Agama Shastra traditions. The lunar eclipse is scheduled to begin at 3:20 pm and end at 6:47 pm on March 3, lasting for about three and a half hours.

As per long-standing custom, the temple doors will be closed six hours before the start of the eclipse. Accordingly, darshan will be stopped and the temple doors will be closed at 9:00 am on March 3. The temple will reopen at 7:30 pm after the eclipse, following purification rituals, including temple cleansing and Vedic ceremonies. Devotees will be allowed for Sarva Darshan only after these rituals are completed, from 8:30 pm onwards.

Due to the eclipse, several arjitha sevas scheduled for the day have been cancelled. These include Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana, Kalyanotsavam, Unjal Seva, Arjitha Brahmotsavam, and Sahasra Deepalankara Seva. TTD stated that devotees who have already booked tickets for these sevas will be informed separately about further arrangements.

TTD has advised pilgrims to take note of the revised timings and plan their visit accordingly. Devotees are requested to cooperate with the temple administration until the completion of post-eclipse purification rituals.