Man takes life in Tirumala, temple authorities suspect it was based on superstition

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 “purification rituals” 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. “There’s a superstition that if one sacrifices their body in Tirumala, they will attain a form of salvation,”  he said, calling it an irrational belief. He said that devotees taking such measures was very upsetting. “Natural 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,” 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 ‘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