Priest arrested for demolishing Anjaneya Swamy temple in Andhra Pradesh

Abhaya Anjaneya Swamy temple in Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh was demolished by a priest with explosives following a tiff with its pujari over sharing of the temple income, police said.

Harinath Yadav, the priest of another temple in the same district, along with five others vandalised the Abhaya Anjaneya Swamy temple on Wednesday. The temple had tilted towards one side



and its walls and main door were damaged.

According to police, the accused had placed explosives in the basement of the temple located in the forest region of Kadarinathunikota. After failing in this attempt, he damaged the temple with various objects.

The incident triggered outrage among devotees and a few groups alleged conspiracy by communal elements.