Drunk man climbs temple dome in Tirupati, demands more alcohol to come down

Tirupati witnessed tense moments after an intoxicated man climbed a temple tower at the Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple on Friday night, triggering panic among devotees and officials.

According to authorities, the man managed to slip past the security and enter the temple premises unnoticed. Vigilance staff spotted him while he was attempting to scale the temple wall, but before he could be stopped, he entered the complex and climbed the gopuram, eventually reaching the kalashas at the top, as per reports.

Temple officials immediately reported the police and the fire department to handle the situation and avoid any potential accident.

The man was later identified as 45-year-old Kuttadi Tirupati, a resident of Peddamalla Reddy Colony in Kurmawada area of Nizamabad district, Telangana.

Officials said he entered the temple like other devotees and allegedly used tent poles kept in the area to climb the Nadimi Gopuram. While perched atop the structure, he demanded a quarter bottle of alcohol, stating that he would only descend only after his demand was met, according to reports.

After authorities agreed to his conditions to ensure his safety, the man came down without suffering any injuries. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted to Tirupati East Police Station. A case was registered against him for being in an intoxicated condition.

Tirupati East DSP M Bhaktavatsalam Naidu confirmed the arrest and said further investigation is ongoing.