The Puranapool Darwaza Mysamma Temple, a historic shrine in the Old City of Hyderabad with deep cultural significance, believed to be a site where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj halted during his journey to Srisailam in 1677, was vandalised on January 14, 2026, triggering tension in the area and prompting a police response.
According to Hyderabad City Police, at around 11.30 pm on January 14, an unidentified individual entered the Puranapool Darwaza Mysamma Temple and partially damaged a flex banner and a POP (Plaster of Paris) murti kept in the temple veranda. The accused did not enter the sanctum sanctorum, and the main murti inside the Garbha Gudi remains completely safe, police clarified.
Kamatipura Police immediately registered a case after receiving information about the incident. CCTV footage from the temple premises and surrounding areas has been secured, and officials said crucial leads regarding the suspect have been obtained. The accused is expected to be arrested soon.
Police said that following the temple incident, a mob of around 300 people gathered in the locality and vandalised a nearby chilla. During attempts to control the situation, police personnel were attacked, leaving four officers seriously injured. A separate case has been registered in connection with the vandalism and the assault on police staff.
Investigating officers said the perpetrators have been identified through CCTV and video evidence, and strict legal action will follow.
Senior police officials appealed to the public not to believe rumours circulating on social media, particularly false claims that the main murti of the temple was destroyed. “There is absolutely no truth to such malicious propaganda,” police said, adding that the situation is now fully under control.
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay, said on X:
“When the first incident happened, Congress failed to act. Is targeting Hindu temples now being normalised in Hyderabad? Is this city being tested because Hindus remain calm? When Hindus step out to protect their faith, cases are slapped on them. But criminals get the ‘mentally unstable’ shield. This is not a coincidence. It is a clear pattern. Law and order have collapsed. Appeasement has replaced the law. The fear of law is zero.”
https://twitter.com/bandisanjay_bjp/status/2011726849567834561?s=20
BJP Telangana President N Ramachandra Rao visited the Puranapool Darwaza temple on January 15 and condemned the incident, calling it part of a “disturbing and recurring pattern” of attacks on Hindu places of worship in Telangana.
“This is not an isolated incident. Puranapool Darwaza is a historic site of immense significance, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is believed to have stayed during his journey to Srisailam,” he said, alleging that the desecration pointed to a larger conspiracy.
Rao also referred to recent incidents, including the desecration of the Muthyalamma Temple in Secunderabad, the Mysamma Temple in Safilguda, and an attempted attack on a Hanuman temple in Keesara, claiming these pointed to systematic targeting of Hindu temples. He demanded an immediate and impartial investigation and strict action against those responsible.
https://twitter.com/N_RamchanderRao/status/2011704597338087839?s=20
Speaking to Organiser, Dr Shashidhar, VHP national spokesperson, said, “In the last year, there were 28 temple attacks, and the attack on Puranapool is marked as the 29th incident. This is suspected to be the handiwork of illegal infiltrators, Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, who seem to have attacked and escaped from the city. The Congress government appears blind to the thousands of illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshis roaming in and around Hyderabad.”
He said that a murti, whether made of POP or panchaloha, is sacred for Hindus, and that breaking murtis is a grave offence. So far, the police have failed to take stringent action, and it is really strange that they are unable to crack temple vandalism cases, while claiming to have successfully organised an issue-free Miss World event and handled drunken driving cases during the New Year. Is this inefficiency or selective silence?
Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh visited the site and demanded strict action from the police, stating, “It is unfortunate that such incidents are steadily increasing in the city of Hyderabad. The government and the administration must take strict action in time, before the situation goes out of control.”
Local accounts
Local residents told police that around midnight, a youth dressed in black entered the temple premises, tore down a flex poster and damaged the murti. A woman who attempted to stop him was allegedly pushed aside before the accused fled the scene. As news spread, hundreds of locals and members of Hindu organisations gathered near the temple, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprit, leading to heightened tension in the area.
