Tirumala Observes 10-Hour Closure During Total Lunar Eclipse

The famed hill temple of Lord Venkateswara remained closed for close to ten hours on Tuesday owing to the Total Lunar Eclipse , officials said. The move was implemented in line with long-standing Agama traditions observed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Temple authorities suspended darshan from 9 am and kept the shrine closed until 7:30 pm. During this period, all sevas , public darshan , and religious activities were cancelled. Shrines functioning under the TTD’s administration were also shut in observance of the eclipse.

Following the celestial event, purification rituals , including Punyahavachanam , were performed as prescribed in temple scriptures before reopening the sanctum for devotees.

The temporary closure also affected the free Annaprasadam service in Tirumala, prompting the TTD to advise pilgrims to plan their visit in advance in view of the revised schedule.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the eclipse recorded a magnitude of 1.155 . A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves completely into the Earth’s umbra , while a partial eclipse takes place when only a portion enters the shadow.

The IMD noted that the eclipse was visible in parts of India, East Asia, Australia, and the Americas, with clearer views reported from the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Temples across the country similarly remained closed during the eclipse and reopened later in the evening after conducting prescribed rituals.