Golden crowns stolen from Tirupati temple

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, February 3

Three diamond-studded golden crowns were stolen from Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple at Tirupati, its officials said.

Collectively weighing around 1.3 kg, the crowns were placed on the idols of Lord Venkateswara, Sri Lakshmi and Sri Padmavati. 

The temple security officer said the theft is suspected to have taken place at the time of evening prasad offering. 

Temple superintendent Sri Gyana Prakash said the crowns were seen before the temple was closed between 5 pm and 5:45 pm. However, temple assistant executive officer Kola Bhaskar claimed the theft was noticed around 10.30 pm.

The temple dates back to the 12th century and was built along with other shrines in Tirupati, seen among holiest Indian pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district.

The Govindaraja Swamy Temple is separate from Tirumala, but is controlled and maintained by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and is a prominent temple in the town. Govindaraja Swamy is often referred to as the brother of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala. 

The TTD has also filed a complaint with police who have started a probe.

Superintendent of Police Anburajan said they were scanning CCTV footages around the temple while six teams had been formed to nab the culprits.