Tirupati's Tirumala temple sanctum to remain closed for 6 to 8 months

The main sanctum sanctorum of Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati is likely to remain closed for six to eight months next year. This will be done to carry out work to replace gold-plating of the dome-shaped tower placed atop the sanctum sanctorum. A replica of Lord Venkateshwara will be installed in a makeshift temple till then, officials said.