A leopard sighting on the Tirumala tourist route is causing panic among pilgrims

The sighting of a leopard on the Alipiri trail leading to Tirumala sparked panic among pilgrims on Friday evening, reviving fears of wildlife movement along the popular tourist route to the hilltop shrine of Lord Venkateswara after a long lull.

The big cat was spotted near the Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple, about half way along the Alipiri, by devotees on their way to Tirumala. The sighting caused panic and pilgrims rushed away from the area to seek safety.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and forest department officials rushed to the spot and advised the pilgrims to continue their journey only in groups.

The latest sighting has once again brought the focus back to the movement of wildlife in the forested stretch around the Alipiri trail, which is used daily by thousands of devotees making pilgrimages to the hilltop shrine.

Published – 11 Jul 2026 20:18 IST