Pilgrims Will Have To Carry A Wooden Stick To Tirumala Temple

Following the death of a 6-year-old girl who was killed by a leopard on the way to the Tirupati temple, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has put a range of measures in place to avoid a repeat, and one among them is every devotee will have to carry a stick to fight off wild animals.

The death of the 6-year-old girl has shaken the whole world. And thus, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has put a range of measures.

Pilgrims taking the pedestrian pathway to the temple will now have to go in batches of one hundred, accompanied by a security guard. Every devotee will also be given a wooden stick to defend themselves in case of a wild animal attack.

"We will provide everyone with a stick, no matter how many are required," said Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairperson B Karunakar Reddy.

To avoid attracting wild animals, devotees and food stalls on the route have been advised not to litter food. Devotees have also been told not to feed monkeys, said a TTD official.

The official said a proposal to fence the pedestrian area has been sent to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for clearance because the temple is located in a reserved forest area.

Six-year-old Lakshita and her family were using the pedestrian pathway to get to the temple when she was attacked and killed by a leopard on Friday night. She had strayed from the path after the family had refused to buy her something, and her body was later found in some bushes.

The leopard which is suspected to have killed Lakshita was trapped 48 hours after her death, but forest officials say there are more wild animals - including leopards and sloth bears - in the area.

TTD officials said 500 CCTV cameras are being installed along both the pedestrian routes connecting Alipiri and Tirumala and another connecting Srivari Mettu (the lord's footprints). "If necessary, drone cameras will also be procured. Animal trackers and doctors will also be made available round the clock," an official said.

Focus lights are being installed so that there is a visibility of 30 metres around the pedestrian path. Signage warning of wild animal attacks will also be placed at Seventh Mile, Galigopuram, Alipiri and other key points.