Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jan 1: In a dramatic turn of events at the Krishna Math in Udupi, eight Ayyappa devotees allegedly disrupted the temple proceedings and engaged in unruly behavior on the night of December 29, 2024, around 9:15 PM. The complainant, Nagraj (65), who works as a Diwan at the Puttige Math, reported the incident to the Udupi Police.

The accused, identified as Raju, Naveen Raju, Shivakumar, N Vishal, Ravikiran, Bhanu, Ravikant, and Umandar, reportedly arrived from Andhra Pradesh and forced their way into the temple premises. They bypassed the queue of devotees, shoved the on-duty security staff member, Jagadeesh, and entered the sanctum sanctorum, demanding immediate darshan of Lord Krishna.

File photo

The accused allegedly used abusive language and threatened the complainant, Nagraj, and another staff member, Satyanarayana Bhat, who tried to intervene. The situation escalated when they obstructed the ongoing deity procession, refusing to allow it to proceed, and issued death threats.

Additionally, the accused reportedly assaulted the temple security personnel. The Udupi city police have registered a case.