Tirumala Bans Watermelon For ‘Weird Reasons’

Tirupati: Water melon, a most sought after fruit in hot summer, was banned in Tirumala for some weird reasons. People who throng the temple always look for the fruit to get relief from the hot sun.

According to the TTD officials, due to watermelon, pigs will be attracted towards the temple and then tigers will follow the pigs preying on them. To avoid tigers, watermelons are banned in the temple city. However, the devotees are expressing their anger at the decision of the officials. But, the officials and guards in Tirumala are not allowing sales of the fruit in the premises of country's most popular pilgrimage center.

A medical officer said that the devotees reaching Tirumala through steps have a tendency to drop watermelon rinds after consuming them. The green rinds attract the pigs. Tigers, in pursuit of deer, are likely to reach Tirumala.

On account of the threat of tigers straying into Tirumala from neighboring forests, the devotees have no option but to forego the season’s most desired fruit..