Andhra Pradesh Temple Owner Built Private Shrine After Being Denied Darshan
In the Kasibugga area of Srikakulam district, a 94-year-old landlord initiated the construction of a private temple for Tirumala-style darshan after he was denied access at the main temple at Tirumala. The temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, opened just months ago under a private trust and is not managed by the state’s endowments department.
How the Temple Came About
According to news reports, the elderly philanthropist experienced difficulty obtaining darshan at Tirumala years ago and resolved to create a “mini-Tirupati” in his home region. He acquired land and built the temple complex over the past few years, opening it for devotees. The facility lacks formal government registration as a temple under state oversight and reportedly did not secure formal police permission or crowd-control arrangements before a recent major gathering.
Link to Stampede and Safety Concerns
The private shrine drew a large influx of devotees this week during an Ekadashi observance, leading to a tragic stampede that killed nine people and injured more than twenty. The temple’s limited infrastructure, lack of clear entry-exit protocols and absence of adequate safety measures were cited by authorities as contributing factors. The incident has raised renewed concerns about regulatory oversight of private religious sites, especially those that operate outside standard state temple management frameworks.
