3-hour drama at Tirupati’s Govindarajaswamy Temple as drunk man climbs gopuram, demands alcohol

The incident led to a nearly three-hour operation involving teams from the Tirupati East Police and the Fire Department (Image: News18)

• Intoxicated man climbed Tirupati temple gopuram, causing a security scare
• Three-hour rescue ends with man safely restrained and taken into custody
• Temple authorities to assess damage to kalashams after the incident

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A man under the influence of alcohol reportedly climbed the walls of the ancient Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple in Tirupati on Tuesday, resulting in a security scare and a nearly three-hour-long operation to bring him to safety.

The man has been identified as Kuttadi Tirupati, aged 45, a resident of Nizamabad district in Telangana.

According to a report by CNN-News18, the intoxicated man scaled the temple gopuram, damaged kalashams, and demanded liquor before agreeing to come down.

Around 10 pm, soon after Ekanta Seva, the man allegedly jumped over the temple’s compound wall, slipped past security staff and climbed the gopuram near the Mahadwaram. He is said to have partially damaged two kalashams, triggering panic among temple officials and devotees.

Police and fire personnel reached the spot immediately to convince him to descend. However, the man reportedly refused to cooperate with them, resulting in a high drama at the spot. According to officials cited in the CNN-News18 report, the man said he would only come down if provided with alcohol.

The incident led to a nearly three-hour operation involving teams from the Tirupati East Police and the Fire Department. After iron ladders were positioned against the gopuram, the man was restrained with ropes and safely brought down.

Police said the accused subsequently admitted to being intoxicated and to asking for liquor while on the structure. He was taken into custody and shifted to the Tirupati East Police Station for questioning.

East Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhaktavatsalam, while speaking to reporters, said a detailed investigation is underway and further details will be shared after inquiry.

No one was injured during the incident, however, temple authorities said a damage assessment of the kalashams would be undertaken.

The incident has raised serious concerns over the security and management of the temple especially as a number of devotees gather there everyday.