Tirumala, Feb 17: TTD Additional EO C.H. Venkayya Chowdhary announced that the Tirumala temple will remain closed on March 3 due to the lunar eclipse. On that day, the temple will be shut from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (with the eclipse occurring between 3:20 p.m. and 6:47 p.m.).
He held a review meeting with officials regarding the upcoming Salakatla Teppotsavam (annual float festival). The festival will be conducted from February 26 to March 2. He instructed officials to make all necessary arrangements so that devotees face no inconvenience.
From February 20 to March 5, devotees will not be allowed to take a holy dip in the temple’s Pushkarini (sacred pond). Security personnel will be deployed at entry and exit points, and trained elephant swimmers will be stationed in the Pushkarini for safety.
Due to the float festival, the Sahasra Deepalankara Seva will be cancelled on February 26 and 27, while the Arjitha Brahmotsavam and Sahasra Deepalankara Seva will be cancelled on March 1 and 2.
On March 3, coinciding with Kumāradhāra Tīrtha Mukkoti, devotees will be allowed darshan only between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. before the temple closes for the eclipse.
