In normal times it would be considered as sacrilege but early hours of Wednesday presented a challenge to the officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). A special lock was broken to keep Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena and his wife Jayanthi’s appointment with Lord Venkateshwara at Titumala Tirupati.

Every day at 3 am, the priests perform suprabhatam seva (waking up the god). On Wednesday morning as the VIPs were at the door of the temple, the priests discovered that the lock of the 'Bangaru Vakili' (golden door), leading to the sanctum sanctorum was not opening as one of the three special keys had struck inside the lock.

Three keys have to be inserted into the specially made lock at the same time to open the golden door. On Wednesday, the first key that was put into the lock got stuck and broke when desparate attempts were made to open the lock. Acting with quick thinking the TTD officials ordered it to be broken. A saw to break open the lock

According to reports, the temple authorities said there was no need for the performance of special prayers because of the episode. Usually, such incidents are considered as inauspicious and the priests conduct special pujas.

Bangaru Vakili (Golden door): This is the  entrance into the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Venkateswara across the Tirumamani mandapam. There are two tall copper images of the dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya on either side of the door. The thick wooden door is covered with gilt plates depicting the dasavataram of Lord Vishnu.

The doorway is directly in line with the Padi Kavali (main door) and the Vendi Vakili (silver door). It admits pilgrims to the Snapana Mandapam. Suprabhatam is sung in front of this door every day. Not only the doors but also the frontal exteriors and all the pillars of the mandapam are gold plated.