Tirumala shrine to close at 5 pm on July 27

​Tirumala: The temple doors of hill shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy will remain closed for almost 12 hours owing to lunar eclipse on July 27.

As the occurrence of total lunar eclipse is evident between 11.54 pm of July till 3.49 am of July 28, as per the temple tradition, the main doors will be closed six hours prior to eclipse by 5 pm on July 27, ending the darshan for the pilgrims on that day early.

Again, the temple doors will be opened at 4.15 am with Suprabhata Seva followed by Suddhi and Punyahavachanam (Purifactory ceremonies). Later, remaining pre-dawn Arjitha sevas are observed.

Meanwhile, the distribution and serving of Annaprasadam to pilgrims in compartments and Annaprasadam complex will also be closed by 5 pm on July 27.

About 20,000 food packets will be distributed to pilgrims at Nada Neeraajanam platform and food courts between 3 pm and 5 pm. The food distribution will resume only after 9 am on July 28.

All the TTD-controlled local temples, including at Tiruchanur (Padmavathi Ammavaru), Srinivasamangapuram, Applaygunta, Sri Govindaraja Swamy, Sri Kondandarama Swamy and Kapileswara Swwamy, will be closed for darshan at 5 pm on July 27 on account of lunar eclipse.

The TTD requested the devotees to take note of the changes and plan their pilgrimage to Tirumala accordingly.