The iconic Tirumala Venkateswara Temple will remain closed to devotees for over 10 hours on March 3, 2026, due to a total lunar eclipse. According to an official press release from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple doors will be shut from 9:00 am onwards as part of traditional observances during the celestial event. All darshan services, including online booking slots, will be suspended during this period. The closure aligns with age-old Hindu customs that prohibit temple activities during eclipses to maintain ritual purity.

The temple will reopen for devotees only after the completion of 'suddhi' (purificatory rites), a cleansing ceremony performed by temple priests to remove any perceived impurity caused by the eclipse. Offline darshan is scheduled to resume at 8:30 pm on March 3, 2026. Devotees are advised to plan their visits accordingly, as large crowds are expected once the temple reopens. Special arrangements will be made to manage the influx of pilgrims post-reopening.

The decision reflects the temple's strict adherence to traditional Agama Shastra guidelines, which view eclipses as inauspicious periods requiring spiritual purification. TTD authorities have appealed to devotees to cooperate with the temporary closure and avoid unnecessary travel to Tirumala during the shutdown hours. The announcement comes well in advance to allow pilgrims to adjust their schedules.

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This closure is expected to impact thousands of daily visitors to one of the world's most visited religious sites. TTD has assured that all essential rituals and services for the deity will continue uninterrupted behind closed doors. Devotees are requested to check the official TTD website or app for any last-minute updates related to the eclipse day schedule. The temple administration emphasized that the measure is purely ritualistic and aimed at preserving sacred traditions.

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