Flex banners with photographs of AIADMK leaders were unfurled near the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, seeking “blessings” for electoral victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. The banners, which carried images of Edappadi K Palaniswami and late CM J Jayalalithaa, were displayed and filmed as reels by youth visitors from Tamil Nadu and later circulated on social media.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has clarified that displaying any political banners in or around the temple vicinity is a clear violation of its norms and existing regulations meant to preserve sanctity and decorum. The temple body has announced that legal action will be initiated against those involved and has reiterated that strict measures will be taken against anyone who tries to inject political messaging, create social media “content,” or otherwise disturb the religious atmosphere of the hill shrine.
In a kshetra like Tirumala, where every inch is meant for bhakti and darshan, turning the temple backdrop into a prop for party propaganda is not devotion. It is a misuse of sacred space, and firm action is necessary to ensure that politics stays outside the path to the sanctum
