Devotee dies of cardiac arrest in laddu counter at Tirumala

TIRUMALA: A Tamil Nadu-based devotee, who was on a pilgrimage to the hill town of Tirumala, died of cardiac arrest while he was waiting in the queue line at the Srivari Laddu Counter for purchasing laddus here on Sunday morning.

According to TTD Vigilance and Security Officer Bali Reddy, the devotee identified as K. Gopal (58), hailing from Arjun Colony in Tirumalagiri of Salem in Tamil Nadu, arrived at Tirumala to have the darshan of the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara along with his family members on Saturday.

After having darshan, the devotee went to the laddu counter, situated beside the main temple complex, to get laddus. While Gopal was standing in the queue line around 7.30 am in the morning, he collapsed suddenly.

The family members with the help of TTD staff immediately rushed him to the Aswini hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Doctors said that the most likely cause of the devotee’s death was cardiac arrest, adding that his vitals were not functional when he was brought to the hospital, indicating that he had already passed away.

As a token of humanity, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams management arranged free transport for the family to take the mortal remains of Gopal to his native place. TTD officials expressed grief and sorrow at the devotee’s sad demise and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to his family. The untimely death of Gopal shocked his family members and friends and a pall of gloom descended on his native place as soon as the news of his death reached Salem’s Tirumalagiri.