The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD) on Thursday told the Hyderabad High Court that the Agama Shastra priests, who are part of the advisory council of the Lord Venkateswara temple, said that the shastras would not permit the live telecast and photography of the Maha Samprokshanam, a rare religious feat, between August 9 and 17. 

The court was hearing a PIL that sought for the live telecast of the event, as the temple would be closed for devotees during the time. 

The petition said that the event could be broadcasted on Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel run by the TTD, following which the court asked the organising body to take the opinion of the advisory council of the temple. 

Last week, TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal said that the temple can allow darshans for only 30 hours; which means, that they can accommodate around 15,000 devotees per day for the six days. 

However, the temple receives 60,000-80,000 people every day and has been managed by hundreds of officials and priests. The figure even crosses a lakh during summer vacations and on special occasions.

Anil Kumar was speaking at a gathering along with Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav, where they announced that the TTD was reconsidering their earlier decision to shut their doors to devotees for six days in August. 

“As per that direction, TTD will take opinion from devotees. We also have a trustees meeting on July 24, where we will take a decision on how to accommodate the darshans in the little time that is available during the ritual,” Anil Kumar had told reporters.

Call centres had been set up with phone numbers 0877-2233333/ 2277777, where pilgrims had called and given their opinions. 

Meanwhile, the famed temple is all set to shut its doors for the lunar eclipse on Friday night as the TTD said that the main doors will be closed from 5 pm on July 27 and will reopen at 4:15 am the next day.