In a shocking turn of events, unknown assailants have vandalized the Varahi Amman Temple in Tiruchanur, located in the Tirupati district. The idol of the goddess, along with other sacred statues, was destroyed and thrown into the Swarnamukhi River, causing outrage among the local community. This temple, situated near the famous Padmavathi Temple, has been the subject of an ongoing dispute over its land ownership, which some claim to be theirs. This disagreement appears to have escalated into the temple’s destruction.
The Sri Varahi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur was not just demolished. it was desecrated. Idols of Varahi and Shiva were thrown into the river over a ₹10 lakh land deal involving a TDP leader. And where is Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan? Silent. Absent. Unconcerned. His silence speaks… pic.twitter.com/lchx1c7aX8
— Lost Temples™ (@LostTemple7) June 16, 2025
The incident took place around midnight on 10 June 2025, when a group of unidentified individuals demolished the temple structure and destroyed the principal idol (Moolavirat) and other statues. The debris was then thrown into the nearby Swarnamukhi River, sparking an uproar in the local community.
For several days now, there has been a legal dispute regarding the ownership of the land on which the temple stands. Reports indicate that two individuals, Mani Reddy and Rami Reddy, have filed a petition in a local court, asserting that the land on which the Varahi Amma Temple stands belongs to them. Despite the case being pending, the duo, along with around 30 unidentified individuals, reportedly attacked the temple on 9 June, vandalizing the premises and manhandling women who tried to intervene. A complaint was filed with the Tiruchanur police, but no action was taken, even though the entire incident was captured on CCTV footage.
Locals believe that the police’s inaction is due to alleged political influence, with the two men purportedly receiving backing from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Emboldened by the lack of a police response, the group of miscreants returned to the temple on the night of 10 June with earthmovers and destroyed the structure. They also desecrated the idols and discarded them into the Swarnamukhi River. Upon learning of the incident, members of the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organizations arrived at the site, retrieved the damaged idols from the river, and have since demanded strict action against those responsible. They have warned of large-scale protests unless the culprits are apprehended and held accountable for the destruction.
According to reports, it is alleged that TDP leaders paid ₹10 lakh to the miscreants in exchange for their involvement in taking control of the temple land. The vandalism was reportedly spearheaded by TDP leader Kishore Reddy, who is known to be a supporter of Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani.
Furthermore, locals have raised suspicions that the destruction of the temple is part of a broader scheme to enable illegal sand mining operations by a sand mafia active along the banks of the Swarnamukhi River. The incident has sparked widespread anger among local communities and religious groups, who are demanding immediate intervention and accountability for the attack on the sacred site.
This incident has caused significant outrage among Hindu groups, who are now demanding stringent action against those responsible. On Wednesday, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay visited Tirupati and met with concerned citizens to address the issue. Hindu organizations attempted to lodge complaints with the minister, but police obstructed their efforts. As a result, the groups staged a protest near the local police station, calling for strict action against the culprits.
The desecration of the Varahi Amma Temple has left the local community in shock and has sparked further unrest over the growing tensions surrounding the site. Hindu organizations are adamant that the government take immediate action to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable and that religious harmony is preserved.
(With inputs from Sakshi Post)
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