On Sunday, September 21, 2025, a massive influx of devotees gathered at the Kapila Theertham waterfalls in Tirupati to observe the auspicious “Mahalaya Amavasya.” This overwhelming turnout immediately raised safety and security concerns at the renowned shrine, nestled at the foot of the Tirumala hills.
Mahalaya Amavasya is an annual observance where the faithful perform sacred rites to honor their ancestors. These rituals traditionally take place on the steps leading to the temple’s holy tank or near the waterfall within the Kapila Theertham complex. However, the sheer volume of visitors on this particular day overwhelmed the security personnel, leading to considerable pushing and jostling among the crowds.
Officials from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had not made specific arrangements for the day, as Mahalaya Amavasya is not considered a direct temple event. Consequently, they did not anticipate such an extraordinary rush of pilgrims.
As the crowd continued to swell, devotees found it increasingly difficult to navigate the packed entry and exit points. A notable oversight was the complete absence of a designated parking area at Kapila Theertham, forcing hundreds of vehicles to park indiscriminately and further obstruct the smooth flow of traffic.
In response to the developing situation, Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu promptly arrived at the scene to oversee crowd management. He swiftly debunked circulating social media rumors of a ‘stampede’ in Tirupati, urging the public to disregard such misinformation. Police reinforced their presence with additional personnel and utilized drones to effectively monitor the large gathering.