While the death was initially believed to have been an accident, CCTV footage revealed that it was a suicide.

Man takes life in Tirumala temple authorities suspect it was based on superstitionImage TTD
news Death Saturday, December 14, 2019 - 11:53

A shocking incident came to light near the Tirumala temple on Friday, as a 40-year man lost his life in the early hours of the day. The incident occurred around 5 30 am. While police and witnesses initially believed that the death was an accident, it was later found to have been a suicide. 

While the identity of the deceased is yet to be determined, police believe that he is from Tamil Nadu. A temple official told PTI that this was the first time such an incident had happened there. 

Meanwhile, the hill temple Agama Sastra Advisor A V Ramana Dikshitulu told reporters that various ā€œpurification ritualsā€ were conducted at the temple since the incident took place at a street close to the shrine. "It is not appropriate to end one’s life forcefully and indulging in such acts at a holy place is a sin," he added.

Dikshitulu also said that there was a superstition regarding suicides among devotees. ā€œThere’s a superstition that if one sacrifices their body in Tirumala, they will attain a form of salvation,ā€  he said, calling it an irrational belief. He said that devotees taking such measures was very upsetting. ā€œNatural death is fine, it can be thought of as a blessing, but taking one’s life is a very upsetting thing. Please do not take such harsh decisions in Tirumala. Let’s ensure a peaceful atmosphere for visiting devotees,ā€ he said.  

Commenting on the incident, TTD Chairman Y V Subba Reddy reportedly appealed to devotees not to take their own lives with the blind belief that they will get ā€˜moksha’ (salvation) at Tirumala. He also cautioned TTD’s vigilance officials to guard against such foolish and superstitious acts of devotees, according to TTD

According to ToI, the Tirumala police have registered a case. The man’s body has been sent for post-mortem.

With PTI inputs

If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers:

Tamil Nadu:

State health department suicide helpline number - 104

Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in TN

Telangana:

Telangana government suicide prevention toll free no - 104

Roshni- 040-66202000, 6620200SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682 (between 9 AM and 7 PM)

Karnataka:

Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222

Kerala:

Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530

Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161

Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.

Andhra Pradesh:

Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930

Roshni Helpline 1: 9166202000 Helpline 2: 9127848584

 
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