The sacred Tirumala Hills, where lakhs of devotees arrive each month to worship Lord Venkateswara, are increasingly being disturbed by unruly activities of hawkers and unauthorized occupants, sparking concern among devotees.
This has been pointed out, not by any YSR Congress party leader or the party paper Sakshi, but by Andhra Jyothy, considered to be a pro-Telugu Desam Party daily, in its latest report.
According to the report, authorities have long provided free meals and lodging for pilgrims, but many people have begun to exploit the system, camping on the hill permanently.
“Some work as hawkers or construction workers by day, but at night, disturbing incidents are reported, ranging from drunken brawls to open violations of temple sanctity,” it said.
Recently, devotees were shocked when a hawker named Hemakumar, allegedly drunk, misbehaved with a woman hawker and was thrashed with a broom.
Reports of people consuming alcohol, meat, and even ganja on the hill are increasingly frequent, with several caught in recent years.
Devotees complain that instead of the constant chanting of “Govinda,” the hill is witnessing fights, shouting, and fear. “What chaos, Govinda!” many lament.
Some of the incidents referred to by the news report are:
Jan 17, 2024: A group of 28 people from Tamil Nadu were caught cooking chicken curry and pulao near Rambhageecha.
Mar 13, 2024: A Karnataka youth, drunk, misbehaved with a woman near the Mada Streets and threatened police.
Mar 17, 2024: Two brothers attacked workers in a drunken state, vandalizing a vigilance vehicle and injuring an officer.
Aug 17, 2024: Two hawkers fought each other with glass bottles in broad daylight.
Nov 2024: Gutkha packets and empty liquor bottles were found along the ghat roads.
Pilgrims allege that Tirumala’s sacred atmosphere is being defiled, with some unauthorized residents turning sheds and free accommodation blocks into hideouts. While many simply live on free meals, others are accused of creating fear and nuisance.
Devotees are urging the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to act swiftly, tighten vigilance, and restore the sanctity of the holy hills.
