HYDERBAD, INDIA, October 3, 2005: The world-famous temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati and other adjoining temples were closed for the day Monday in view of the annular solar eclipse. The event is not considered auspicious for worship. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the temples, closed the doors at 9.15 a.m. Monday. The doors will reopen at 7 p.m., after the eclipse that starts at 4.21 p.m. and lasts till 6.13 p.m. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the country and abroad throng the Venkateswara and other temples every day. The sprawling premises of the country’s richest temple were deserted as temple authorities also postponed all rituals connected with the annual Brahmotsavams. Some other major temples, including the Sri Sitharamachandraswamy temple in Bhadrachalam, have also been closed. Hindu astrologers believe that the solar eclipse this year is not auspicious and could affect earth and seas, triggering natural calamities. Vedic expert and astrologer Vishwapati has pointed out that the solar eclipse would be followed by a lunar eclipse on Oct 17. According to him, it was rare for a solar and lunar eclipse to occur within a fortnight.
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