A devotee has died of heart attack in the temple precincts of the famed Sri Bhramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam in Kurnool district during darshan this morning.

It was first time such an incident has taken place in the temple history and immediately authorities have stopped darshan for devotees and closed the temple for purification. The temple authorities have called Vedic pundits for performing the rituals of purification in the temple.

“The devotee collapsed due to heart attack while having darshan and he was immediately hospitalized but he was declared brought dead by the doctors,” said the temple staff. “The purification process may take several hours because of the incident,” said a senior staff member. (JUBS)