Did Andhra Pradesh Priest Die Trying To Fly With Divine Powers After Jumping From Mountain? Old Video Shared With Fake Claim
A viral video claiming an Andhra Pradesh priest died after attempting to fly using divine powers is false. The footage is from August 2021 and shows 49-year-old priest Papayya accidentally slipping into a gorge while performing rituals at Gampa Mallayya Swamy hillock in Anantapur district. Police and contemporaneous reports described it as an accidental fall.
A video showing a Hindu priest falling from a hilltop has resurfaced on social media with a false claim that he jumped from a mountain after claiming he could fly using divine powers. The posts allege that the incident occurred in Andhra Pradesh and that the priest died after attempting to demonstrate supernatural abilities.
The viral claim misrepresents an accidental death that took place in August 2021. There is no evidence that the priest claimed he could fly or intentionally jumped from the hill. Contemporary reports and police accounts identified the incident as an accidental fall during a religious ritual. Fact Check: Are Adult Stars Johnny Sins and Comatozze Appearing on Samay Raina’s ‘India’s Got Latent S2’? Truth Behind Viral Video.
Old Video Shared With Fake Claim
Fact Check: Old Andhra Pradesh Priest Fall Video Shared With False 'Divine Flying' Claim
The incident occurred in August 2021 at the Gampa Mallayya Swamy hillock in Singanamala mandal of Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. According to police, the deceased was identified as 49-year-old priest Papayya, who had travelled to the temple along with devotees from several southern states to perform special rituals during the auspicious Sravana month.
While performing the rituals, Papayya was holding a bell in one hand and a harathi plate in the other when he lost his balance and slipped into a 40-foot-deep gorge. Several devotees present at the hill witnessed the accident. A video recorded by one of them later circulated widely on social media. Are Pre-2005 Mahatma Gandhi Series Notes Being Discontinued? Here’s the Truth.
Police reached the spot after being informed by devotees, shifted the body for post-mortem examination, and registered a case.
How the False Claim Spread
Years after the accident, the same video has resurfaced online with a misleading caption claiming: "Priest Claiming to Fly in the Sky with Divine Power Dies After Falling from Mountain. In Andhra Pradesh, a 49-year-old Hindu priest claimed he could fly with divine power. He jumped from the mountain peak and died on the spot."
However, there is no official record, police statement, eyewitness account or credible news report suggesting that Papayya claimed to possess divine powers or deliberately jumped from the hill. The available evidence indicates that the priest accidentally slipped while conducting religious rituals.
Why Old Videos Often Reappear With False Claims
Old videos are frequently recirculated on social media with altered captions that change the context of the original event. Such posts often omit verified details and add sensational claims to increase engagement.
Fact-checking the date, location and original news reports is essential before accepting or sharing viral content, particularly when it involves accidents or deaths.
The claim that a Hindu priest in Andhra Pradesh died after attempting to fly using divine powers is false. The viral video shows an accidental fall that occurred in August 2021 when priest Papayya lost his balance while performing rituals at Gampa Mallayya Swamy hillock in Anantapur district. There is no evidence supporting the claim that he attempted to fly or intentionally jumped from the mountain.
Fact check
Hindu priest fell from mountain after he jumped claiming he could fly using divine powers.
Old video is being shared with fake claim.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2026 08:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
