Hyderabad, March 18 (IANS): Chilkur Balaji Temple, which is popular as 'Visa Balaji', on Wednesday announced it was shutting down for a week from Thursday as a precautionary measure to contain spread of Covid-19.

The temple priests said the temple would remain closed for 'darshan' till March 25. However, customary divine rituals would continue.

The temple located at Chilkur near Hyderabad is the first temple in Telangana to shut down to contain the possible spread of the virus.

The temple priests also advised people against visiting temples in view of the prevailing conditions due to coronavirus, and appealed to devotees to pray at home.

The temple is popular among youngsters as 'Visa Balaji'. Devotees, especially students and techies, believe that praying at the temple help them easily secure a visa to the US and other countries.

According to temple officials, about 2,000 devotees visit the temple on normal days while the number on weekends and special occasions go up to 5,000.

Meanwhile, Sree Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple at Bhadrachalam in Telangana has appealed to devotees not to come for the Sri Rama Navami celebrations on April 2. Kalayanotsavam or the annual customary rituals will be held without devotees.

State Transport Minister P. Ajay Kumar said the money of those who booked tickets online for Kalyanotsavam will be refunded. The minister said the precautionary measure was necessary to contain the possible spread of coronavirus.

The minister appealed to people to avoid congregations at temples, mosques and churches and pray at home as a precautionary measure.