Andhra Pradesh: 3 diamond-studded golden crowns stolen from Tirupati temple

The temple priest noticed the theft at 5.45 pm on Saturday when the temple was reopened for rituals and the devotees.

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Andhra Pradesh: 3 diamond-studded golden crowns stolen from Tirupati temple
The ornaments belonged to the processional deities presiding at the ancient temple. (Photo: Tirupati Tourism)

In Short

  • The stolen ornaments weigh around 1.3 kg and are worth several crores
  • As soon as the news of theft spread several devotees, media personals and activists gathered outside the temple
  • After initial verification, a complaint was lodged with the Tirupati Urban police

Three diamond-studded golden crowns on Saturday evening went missing from the ancient Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

The stolen ornaments, which weigh around 1.3 kg and are worth several crores, belonged to the processional deities presiding at the ancient temple which is part of 18 sub-temples and was built in 12th century by saint Sri Ramanujacharya.

The temple priest noticed the theft at 5.45 pm on Saturday when the temple was reopened for rituals and the devotees.

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As soon as the news of theft spread several devotees, media personals and activists gathered outside the temple.

Officials of The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the independent trust which manages the world's richest Hindu temple Venkateswara Temple located at Tirumala Tirupati, also swung into action.

After initial verification, a complaint was lodged with the Tirupati Urban police.

Speaking to India Today TV, SP Anburajan said that they are scanning the CCTV footages around the temple while six teams have been formed to nab the culprits.

Meanwhile, several BJP activists held a protest demanding speedy action and raised slogan against the state government alleging mismanagement of the Hindu shrine.