For the last 18 months, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed an alarming rise in temple-related tragedies, stampedes, goshala deaths, and repeated breaches of sanctity under Chandrababu Naidu’s coalition rule. In this short period, over 23 innocent devotees have lost their lives, and several sacred temples have faced desecration and mismanagement due to the government’s incompetence, apathy, and lack of basic preparedness. Shockingly, despite recurring disasters, the Chief Minister shows no remorse, no accountability, and no corrective action.
Kashi bugga stampede: Ten devotees lose their lives
On Saturday, at the Kashi Bugga Sri Venkateswara Temple in Srikakulam district, thousands of devotees arrived for Ekadashi. The coalition government miserably failed to anticipate the crowd and arrange proper security and crowd-control systems. A railing collapsed, causing a horrific stampede in which nine devotees suffocated to death and several others suffered serious injuries. The visuals from the temple reflect a scene of utter chaos and clearly expose the government’s administrative collapse.
Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadashi token stampede
On January 8, 2025, six devotees died during token distribution for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan at Tirumala. Despite knowing the massive rush for this sacred event, officials did not implement proper queue management. After police opened the gates at 8:35 PM, devotees rushed forward, leading to a deadly stampede. As a result, six pilgrims died of suffocation, and others were injured. The government, under pressure, later announced a commission headed by retired Judge M. Satyanarayana Murthy, but such gestures provide little comfort to the grieving families.
Simhachalam Chandanotsavam Disaster
On May 1, 2025, during the holy Chandanotsavam at the historic Simhachalam temple, a newly constructed wall collapsed due to substandard construction done in haste. The collapse triggered chaos, killing seven devotees, including women, and injuring four more. This tragedy is a direct reflection of the government’s disregard for safety and quality in temple infrastructure.
Negligence at Srikurmam Temple: Sacred Turtles Die
At the ancient and sacred Sri Kurmam Temple, revered as the abode of Lord Vishnu in Kurma Avatar, turtles have been dying one after another due to severe neglect. The dead turtles were burnt secretly behind the temple without conducting mandatory post-mortem examinations, leading to public outrage and raising concerns over religious disrespect and administrative irresponsibility.
Cow and Calf Deaths in Dwaraka Tirumala
At Dwaraka Tirumala, a revered shrine popularly called “Chinna Tirupati,” a cow and calf died in the goshala. Temple staff initially claimed electrocution, while authorities suggested snake-bite — exposing confusion, lack of transparency, and poor animal safety systems within temple premises.
Religious Misconduct and Security Breaches at Tirumala
In November 2024, two women recorded social media reels at Papavinasanam, singing non-Hindu devotional songs. Devotees protested, leading authorities to remove them. In another instance, a vehicle with proselytizing symbols breached Alipiri checks and entered Tirumala, raising serious questions about security lapses and religious sanctity violations.
Criminal Appointment to TTD Board
In November 2024, the government appointed a person facing eight criminal cases, including assault on police, as a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board. This decision triggered public backlash and highlighted political favoritism over sanctity and morality.
Non-Hindu Symbols Sold Near Temple Office
On December 5, a devotee noticed non-Hindu symbols engraved on steel bracelets sold at a stall near the TTD central office. Vigilance officials shut the store temporarily, reinforcing concerns over the lack of spiritual vigilance and failure to protect the sanctity of offerings.
Fire Accident at Laddu Counters
On January 13, 2025, a short-circuit sparked a minor fire at the Tirumala laddu counters. While staff managed to control the fire in time, the incident highlighted electrical safety lapses at the world’s most visited pilgrimage site.
Child’s Death Due to Safety Negligence
On January 15, a three-year-old child tragically fell through a railing gap at a Tirumala guest house and died. This heartbreaking incident once again exposed negligent infrastructure and la ack of child safety measures.
Non-Vegetarian Food in Tirumala Hills
On January 18, a group arrived at Tirumala with eggs and meat, cooking biryani in the parking area. Devotees immediately alerted police. This incident shocked the temple community and demonstrated utter failure in enforcing sacred zone restrictions.
VIP Misconduct Near Temple
On January 25, a Karnataka MLA’s family conducted an unauthorized photo-shoot near the temple, defying security instructions. Such actions show the erosion of discipline and misuse of VIP privileges under current governance.
TTD Board Member Abuses Temple Staff
On February 18, a TTD board member verbally abused staff near the temple gates. Only after intervention by vigilance authorities did the confrontation end. This disgraceful episode reflects arrogance and lawlessness among favored political appointees.
200 Cows Die in Tirumala Goshala
Over the last three months, around 200 cows have died in Tirumala Gośala. Despite initial denials by Naidu and ministers, TTD officials confirmed 191 cow deaths in writing. Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy condemned the negligence and demanded accountability under Article 48 of the Constitution.
Delay in Offering Naivedyam to Lord Venkateswara
On April 12, due to carelessness by security staff, priests carrying Naivedyam were locked out of the gates for 15 minutes under the scorching sun. As a result, Naivedyam to the Lord was delayed — an insult to temple tradition.
Devotees Entering with Footwear
On the same day, devotees wearing shoes entered the Vaikuntham Complex entrance, provoking outrage and demonstrating a breakdown in basic temple discipline.
Demolition at Kasinaayana Temple Site
In March, temple shelters, goshala, and annadanam hall at the sacred Kasinaayana site in Nallamala forest were demolished under the supervision of the deputy CM. This violated earlier government assurances. Only after public anger and protests did Minister Lokesh apologize.
Lord Venkateswara’s Rest Time Reduced
Due to mismanagement and uncontrolled rush, priests reported that Lord Venkateswara is not receiving adequate rest time. They formally requested that temple authorities restore the sanctity and extend the Ekanta Seva period for the Lord’s rest.
Lawlessness in Srisailam
Srisailam has witnessed increasing immoral activities, including illegal liquor, tobacco sales, and gambling. Authorities recently seized liquor bottles near the temple, revealing complete law-and-order failure in sacred zones.
Idol Desecration in Kalingapatnam
On May 18, seven idols at a 300-year-old temple in Kalingapatnam were vandalized. Hands and heads of divine idols, including incarnations of Vishnu, were damaged. This insult to ancient heritage occurred without swift preventive or punitive action by the government.
Financial Support to Accused in Ramateertham Idol Desecration
In a shocking incident, a person accused in the Ramateertham idol-beheading case received ₹5 lakh from the CM Relief Fund through Ashok Gajapathi Raju. This act revived allegations that Naidu encouraged the desecration for political motives and later rewarded those involved.
A Pattern of Disasters — Even in Earlier Regimes
2015 Godavari Pushkaralu Stampede
During Naidu’s rule in July 2015, excessive focus on publicity and movie-style coverage of Pushkara rituals led to severe crowding and a stampede in Rajahmundry. 29 people died and 52 were injured as a result of his obsession with media optics.
2018 Ontimitta Temple Tragedy
In March 2018, a temporary shed collapsed at Ontimitta Temple during Sri Rama Kalyanam celebrations, killing four pilgrims and injuring 60 others, again due to negligent arrangements.
Demolition of Thousand-Pillar Mandapam at Tirumala (2003)
Chandrababu Naidu ordered the demolition of the sacred Thousand-Pillar Mandapam in Tirumala, angering religious leaders, including Chinna Jeeyar Swamy. Naidu introduced corporate culture in the holy hills, allowing private guest houses to proliferate and commercialize sacred land.
A Government that fails Temples and Devotees
From stampedes and animal deaths to idol vandalism, religious misconduct, and deep administrative failure, Chandrababu Naidu’s governance has turned Andhra Pradesh’s temples into zones of risk, chaos, and disrespect. Despite tragedy after tragedy, the Chief Minister shows neither responsibility nor remorse. Sacred spaces deserve devotion, discipline, and protection, not negligence, politics, and insensitivity.
