In the context of the scare due to leopards growing in Tirumala, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has imposed specific restrictions on devotees who walk on foot to reach the temple. "Devotees with the children aged below 15 years are permitted to use the foot paths at Alipiri and Srivari Mettu between 5 AM and 2 PM only," a special communique today declared. There are a few other restrictions in place.
However, a particular announcement has turned heads. The government announced that a strong stick will be given to each devotee who walks on foot. The stick is meant to be a weapon to protect themselves against attacking leopards.
"Giving a stick to each devotee is the most important decision we have made. No matter how many thousands of devotees are going to walk on foot, each of them will be given a solid stick. Stick is the first line of defence for humans. Its importance in human history is known to all," said Tirupati MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, who is the Chairman of the TTD.
The announcement has been described as bizarre and strange by Netizens.
