Warangal devotee safe after snake bite scare in Tirumala

Vijayawada: A brief moment of panic gripped Tirumala after a devotee from Warangal was reportedly bitten by a snake near the queue on Sunday. The devotee, Mounika, had arrived for the Lord Venkateswara Swamy darshan and was preparing for the ₹300 special entry darshan when she suddenly felt a sharp sensation near the Sri Venkateswara Museum. Startled, she screamed for help. Local staff and devotees rushed to the spot and noticed a snake nearby, which they immediately killed.She was first shifted to the Aswini Hospital in Tirumala and later referred to the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in Tirupati for advanced medical care. Doctors kept her under observation for a day. After a thorough examination, they confirmed that the snake was non-venomous and that there were no clear signs of a poisonous bite. She was discharged after doctors declared her out of danger.Sharath Babu, Mounika's husband, clarified that the snake was not poisonous and that the doctors took precautionary measures to ensure her safety. "She is perfectly fine now," he said, thanking the medical staff for their prompt response.As news of the incident spread, anxiety briefly mounted among devotees waiting in queues on Monday morning. However, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) issued an official statement assuring that the devotee was safe and returned to Warangal.TTD also advised pilgrims to strictly use designated pathways and avoid venturing into forested or restricted areas, cautioning that straying from authorised routes may pose risks from snakes or other wild animals.