Leopard Sighting On Tirupati’s Alipiri Walkway Sparks Panic Among Devotees

The leopard was seen roaming near a shop prompting the shopkeeper to immediately alert Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials.

TTD and Forest Department have intensified security measures to protect devotees from leopard attack.

Source : Pixabay

A leopard sighting on the Alipiri walkway leading to the Sri Venkateswara Temple atop Tirumala hills has sparked panic among devotees and shopkeepers. The big cat was spotted near Galigupuram around 1 AM on Tuesday, with its movements captured on CCTV footage. This is the second such sighting in two weeks, raising serious concerns about the safety of pilgrims trekking to the temple.

The leopard was seen roaming near a shop prompting the shopkeeper to immediately alert Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials. In response, TTD has advised devotees to use the path only in groups and has restricted access for children below 12 years as a precautionary measure. Officials are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any untoward incidents.

Alipiri walkway

The Alipiri walkway, a 9-km-long route with 3,550 steps, is a popular pilgrimage path for thousands of devotees. However, recent months have seen frequent leopard sightings in the area, leading to heightened fears among trekkers. In January, a leopard was seen near Alipiri at the foothills of Tirumala, causing alarm among residents and visitors. In another alarming incident, a TTD hospital employee was injured after he fell off his bike when a leopard leaped from the road median to cross into the forest along the Alipiri-Cherlopalli road.

On August 11, 2023, a six-year-old girl was mauled to death while trekking to Tirumala with her parents. Her body was found behind the Narasimha Swamy temple the following morning. In another incident, a three-year-old boy was attacked but was saved when pilgrims and security personnel intervened.

Following these incidents, TTD and the Forest Department have intensified security measures to protect devotees. CCTV cameras have been installed along the walkway, cages have been placed to capture leopards, and four big cats have already been captured in the past two months. Officials have also increased patrolling and implemented additional security measures.

TTD has urged devotees to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and avoid trekking alone at night.