Gold crowns stolen from Tirupati, manhunt launched

Three diamond studded crowns that adorn the processional deities (Utsava Vigrahas), at the Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple, one of the 17 sub temples of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) went missing on Sunday. Priests of the temple noticed the theft about an hour after they opened the temple to perform rituals.

Sri Govindarajulu is the elder brother of Sri Venkateswara. Every day in the evening, priests take the Utsava Vigrahas of Lord Venkateswara and the Goddesses on a procession. It is believed that those who visit the Tirumala shrine on the seven hills must first offer prayers at Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple.

Following the theft on Sunday, TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal inspected the temple. Later speaking to media persons, the EO said, three crowns belonging to a sub-shrine located in Tirupati have been stolen. “All three weigh approximately 1351grams and cost around Rs.50 lakhs'', he said.

The EO said, as soon as the priests on duty realised that the crowns were missing, senior officers including JEO P Bhaskar and Chief Vigilance officer Gopinath Jetti rushed to the temple and conducted an enquiry.

The officials are examing CCTV footage obtained from 15 cameras in the temple. The vigilance staff of TTD has also given CCTV footage to the police for further investigation. “In the next two or three days we may get the final investigation report", the EO added.