Chief Justice of India Surya Kant visited the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala on Sunday, marking a significant spiritual engagement in his busy schedule. He had arrived at the hill shrine on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning, he was accorded a traditional welcome by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) officials. The reception included TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, Executive Officer Muddada Ravi Chandra, Additional Executive Officer C.H. Venkaiah Chowdhury, and District Superintendent of Police L. Subbaraidu. Amidst the chanting of sacred Vedic mantras, the officials formally received the Chief Justice, highlighting the ceremonial respect accorded to high dignitaries visiting the temple.
During his darshan, the priests presented Chief Justice Surya Kant with the ‘Shesha Vastra,’ a ceremonial sacred cloth, symbolizing the blessings and protection of Lord Venkateswara. Vedic scholars also offered him the ‘Veda Shirvachana’ at the Ranganayakula Mandapam, emphasizing his engagement with traditional rituals and spiritual learning. TTD officials further presented Theertha Prasadam and a portrait of the deity, a customary gesture for dignitaries to take divine blessings back with them. After completing his darshan at the main temple, the Chief Justice proceeded to visit the Sri Varahaswami Temple, another sacred shrine in Tirumala, underscoring his dedication to religious observances.
The TTD has proactively announced adjustments to temple activities in light of the upcoming lunar eclipse on March 3. As part of this, the temple will remain closed for approximately ten hours and 30 minutes, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with darshan resuming only after purification rituals and Punyahavachanam at 8:30 p.m. This extended closure follows the traditional belief of not allowing darshan during the eclipse period, which is considered inauspicious. Devotees have been advised to plan their visit accordingly, given the temporary suspension of regular darshan activities.
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To manage crowd and maintain order, Slotted Sarva Darshan (SSD) tokens will not be issued on March 1 and 2 for darshan on March 2 and 3. This change affects thousands of devotees who usually plan their visit in advance, ensuring that the temple can handle safety measures during the lunar eclipse. VIP Break Darshans have also been cancelled on March 3, and the TTD clarified that no recommendation letters will be accepted on March 2, further reflecting the temple administration's emphasis on crowd control and adherence to traditional protocols during celestial events.
TTD officials requested devotees to cooperate with the revised schedule, stressing the importance of observing both spiritual customs and safety measures during the lunar eclipse. The temple's closure will coincide with the eclipse, which is expected to begin at 3:20 p.m. and conclude at 6:47 p.m., and the gates will reopen at 7:30 p.m., allowing devotees to participate in purification rituals before resuming darshan. These measures are part of TTD’s consistent approach to balancing spiritual traditions with modern-day crowd management and safety considerations.
The visit by Chief Justice Surya Kant also reflects the broader practice of high-ranking officials engaging with religious institutions in India, signifying respect for cultural heritage while integrating their public roles with personal spiritual commitments. The ceremonial reception, offerings, and engagement with traditional rituals highlight the importance of Tirumala as a major center of faith. With the lunar eclipse adjustments in place, TTD aims to ensure that both VIPs and regular devotees experience a smooth, safe, and spiritually fulfilling visit to one of India’s most revered temples.
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