Devotees Welcome Minister With ‘Go Back’ Slogans

Endowments minister Kottu Satyanarayana faced the wrath of the devotees at Srikalahasti temple as the officials stalled the queue lines for nearly one-and-half hour for his visit. The minister, along with his family, offered prayers at the shrine this morning.

Annoyed over being made to stand for long in the queue line in the sweltering heat, the devotees entered into an altercation with the temple officials and raised ‘Minister Go Back’ slogans, on seeing him.

Sensing the trouble, the minister spoke to the devotees directly and asked the officials to allow the devotees for ‘darshan’ without any further delay.

The long weekend increased rush at the Srivari temple in Tirumala which even led to a stampede in which five persons were injured. Devotees visiting Tirumala also make it a point to travel to nearby temples in Kanipakam, Tiruchanoor, Kapilatheertham and Srikalahasti and offer their prayers.

For the same reason, heavy rush was witnessed even at the Sri Kalahasti temple and the devotees could not withstand the delay in the queue lines after being stopped for the minister’s visit.

However, the situation returned to normal following the minister’s directions.

Devotees throng the Sri Kalahasti temple during Sivaratri and special days in the Kartika Masam as it is the abode of Lord Shiva.