Leopard sighting on Tirumala trekking route causes panic among pilgrims

A leopard sighting on the Alipiri footpath leading to Tirumala triggered panic among pilgrims on Friday evening, reviving concerns over wildlife movement along the popular trekking route to the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara after a prolonged lull.

The big cat was spotted near the Lord Narasimha Swamy temple, about halfway along the Alipiri footpath, by devotees trekking to Tirumala. The sighting caused panic, with pilgrims rushing away from the area in search of safety.

Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Forest Department rushed to the spot and advised pilgrims to continue their trek only in groups.

The latest sighting has once again brought the focus back on wildlife movement in the forested stretch surrounding the Alipiri footpath, which is used daily by thousands of devotees trekking to the hill shrine.