Fact Check: Did an Indian Hindu Priest Die Trying to Fly Off a Cliff?

Fact Check: Did an Indian Hindu Priest Die Trying to Fly Off a Cliff?

Fact Check – A widely shared video has sparked curiosity about a Hindu priest in India who reportedly fell from a cliff. The footage, circulating on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and YouTube, shows a man performing rituals before stepping off a steep edge. The incident, which occurred in 2021, has been attributed to an accident rather than an intentional act of flight.

The man, identified as Papayya, also known as Appa Papaiah, was 49–55 years old. He died instantly after tumbling from a height of roughly 90 meters near the Gampa Mallayya Swamy Temple in Chinna Jalalapuram Village, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated in a hilly region, making the location inherently risky for such activities.

Fact Check

Tempo’s team investigated the video by cross-referencing it with reverse image searches and verified reports. The analysis confirmed that the individual was participating in a Sravana ritual during the holy month of Shravana, linked to the deity Shiva. The act was not a demonstration of levitation but a traditional ceremony.

“He accidentally slipped on a rock, fell from a height, suffered severe injuries to several parts of his head, hands, knees, and left leg, and died at the scene,” stated the police report.

According to the initial police filing, the incident happened around 9:00 a.m. when the priest attempted to move to a cave for further rites. The area’s remote nature and challenging terrain contributed to the difficulty of access, as noted by the Deccan Chronicles. Indian media outlets, including the Times of India, reported the event in August 2021, emphasizing the accidental nature of the fall.

Conclusion

Tempo’s Fact Check Team concluded that the claim of the priest attempting to fly before falling is misleading. The video captures a tragic accident during a religious ritual, not a supernatural feat.

For further verification or to share your thoughts, contact Tempo’s ChatBot or email cekfakta@tempo.co.id.