Drunk man held for climbing atop a temple in Tirupati

Under the influence of alcohol, a man climbed the main Gopuram of Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati on Friday night. He reportedly tried to remove the Kalasam and demanded a quarter bottle of liquor to come down. After three hours of drama, he was brought down with the efforts of Police and Fire department personnel.

According to sources, the perpetrator was identified as K. Tirupati a native of Nizamabad district in Telangana. He entered the temple like other devotees. In an inebriated condition, he climbed up the main Gopuram using the poles. The TTD vigilance staff on duty immediately identified him and informed the officials of Police and Fire departments.

Demanding 90 ml of alcohol, the man threatened to break the Kalasam on the temple top with a stick. The officials mounted the Gopuram using ladders. It took three hours for them to convince him to come down on the pretext of giving a liquor bottle. The police arrested the intoxicated man and registered a case. However, the incident highlighted the serious issue of security lapse at the famous temple.