The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) trust board on Saturday announced that the devotees will be restricted to enter the temple from August 9 to August 17 due to 'Maha Samprokshana', a grand cleansing ritual performed once in 12 years.
TTD trust chairman Putta Sudhakar took the decision in a special meeting.
The devotees will be stopped from the morning of August 9 till the evening of August 17.
"The last time "Maha Samprokshana" was held, only 20,000- 30,000 devotees would visit the temple so, it was possible to allow a limited number of them. But, now over one lakh devotees visit the temple on a daily basis, even if limited Darsan is allowed, most of the devotees will have to wait in queues. If Darshans are allowed on 9th and 10th; there will be a heavy rush on the Tirumala hill," he explained.
The initiation ritual 'Ankurarpana' would be held on August 11.
The complex 'Samprokshana' rituals would be held from August 12 to August 16.