By Riffat Kausar
SNN News Finland
A video circulating on social media claims that a 49-year-old Hindu priest in Andhra Pradesh died after jumping from a hilltop, allegedly believing he possessed divine powers to fly.
The post presents the incident as recent and frames the death as a deliberate act driven by supernatural belief.
What Actually Happened
The video is not new. It documents an accident that occurred in August 2021 at the Gampa Mallayya Swamy hillock in Singanamala mandal, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.
The priest, identified as Papayya, was performing a traditional Hindu ritual at the time. While holding a bell in one hand and a harathi plate in the other, he lost his balance and fell into a gorge approximately 40 feet deep.
Several devotees present at the site witnessed the fall, and a video recorded by one of them later spread across social media.
No Evidence of a “Flying” Claim
Contemporary reports from 2021, including coverage by Telangana Today and Deccan Chronicle, described the incident as an accidental fall during a religious ceremony.
None of the original reports indicate that Papayya claimed he could fly or that he intentionally jumped from the hill.
There is no official police statement, eyewitness account, or credible news report supporting the recent viral claim that the priest believed he had divine flying abilities.
Police Response
Following the accident, police were informed by devotees present at the scene. Officers reached the location, recovered the body, and arranged for a post-mortem examination.
A case was registered in line with standard procedure for such incidents.
Why the False Version Spread
The resurfaced video has been given a misleading caption years after the original event, falsely suggesting it documents a recent incident involving a priest’s belief in supernatural powers.
The framing significantly distorts the original accidental nature of the fall.
The Broader Lesson
Regardless of the factual inaccuracies in this particular viral claim, the underlying caution it raises remains valid: claims of miraculous or supernatural ability should never be accepted without verified evidence, particularly where personal safety is concerned.
Faith and reason functioning together, rather than in opposition, remain essential to protecting individuals and communities from harm.
Fact-check: Viral video of Andhra Pradesh priest’s.
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