Drunk Intruder Climbs Tirupati Temple Gopuram, Triggers Three-Hour Security Alert

Tirupati | January 3, 2026 Tirupati witnessed a major security scare after an inebriated man entered the Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple premises and climbed the 100-foot-high gopuram late on Friday night, causing panic among devotees and temple staff. The incident, which lasted nearly three hours, prompted swift action from temple authorities, police, and emergency services. According to police, the man attempted to damage two kalashams atop the gopuram after scaling the structure by clinging to its intricate carvings. Devotees present at the temple were alarmed as security personnel rushed to secure the area and prevent any harm to the ancient structure. The intruder was later identified as Kuttadi Tirupati, a resident of Nizamabad district in neighbouring Telangana. He is reportedly a daily wage worker and was visibly intoxicated at the time of the incident. Local media reports said he climbed the gopuram around midnight and sat at a dangerous height, refusing to come down for several hours. Officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), along with police and Fire and Emergency Services teams, immediately launched a coordinated operation. A senior TTD official said the man had managed to bypass the primary security cordon before climbing the tower. The teams focused on bringing him down safely without causing damage to the heritage structure. During the standoff, the man allegedly demanded a bottle of liquor in exchange for climbing down. After prolonged counselling and persuasion, police personnel succeeded in convincing him to descend. He was then detained and taken to the Tirupati East Police Station for questioning. Police officials said an inquiry is underway to determine how the man accessed the restricted area and whether there was any negligence in security arrangements. Preliminary findings suggest a possible lapse in perimeter monitoring during peak pilgrim hours. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about the security mechanisms at Tirupati’s temples, which attract thousands of devotees daily. In recent years, the temple complex has faced several security-related controversies, including unauthorised drone activity, breaches in restricted queue complexes, and attempts to photograph prohibited areas. Authorities said the latest episode would be thoroughly reviewed and necessary measures would be taken to strengthen surveillance and prevent such incidents in the future. Intoxicated Man Clambers 100-Foot Gopuram at Tirupati Temple, Attempts to Damage Kalashams; Detained by Police A tense situation unfolded at the Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple in Tirupati after an intoxicated man managed to enter the temple premises and climbed the nearly 100-foot-high gopuram late Friday night, raising serious concerns over temple security. The dramatic episode continued for almost three hours, leaving devotees and officials alarmed. Police said the man attempted to damage two kalashams installed atop the gopuram after scaling the structure by holding onto its detailed stone carvings. The incident caused panic within the temple complex as security staff quickly cordoned off the area and halted movement of devotees to avoid any mishap. The accused has been identified as Kuttadi Tirupati, a resident of Nizamabad district in neighbouring Telangana. He is said to be a daily wage labourer and was visibly under the influence of alcohol at the time. Reports indicate that he climbed the gopuram around midnight and refused to come down, sitting at a perilous height for several hours. Teams from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), along with local police and Fire and Emergency Services, immediately launched a coordinated operation to bring the man down safely. A senior TTD official said the individual had bypassed the main security cordon before reaching the gopuram, prompting an urgent response to prevent any damage to the heritage structure. During the standoff, the man allegedly demanded a bottle of liquor in exchange for climbing down. After prolonged counselling and persuasion, police officials succeeded in convincing him to descend without causing harm. He was later taken into custody and shifted to the Tirupati East Police Station for further questioning. Authorities said an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain how the man accessed a restricted zone and whether there were any lapses in surveillance. Initial assessments suggest that reduced perimeter monitoring during peak pilgrim hours may have contributed to the breach. The incident has once again brought the spotlight on security arrangements at Tirupati’s temples. In the past, the shrine complex has faced criticism over unauthorised drone sightings, breaches into restricted queue areas, and attempts to photograph prohibited sections. Officials have assured that the matter will be reviewed in detail and additional security measures will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.