A devotee on a padayatra to the popular pilgrim centre Malai Mahadeshwara Hill temple was mauled to death by a leopard, in Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, on Wednesday.
Hanur: A devotee on a padayatra to the popular pilgrim centre Malai Mahadeshwara Hill temple was mauled to death by a leopard, in Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, on Wednesday.
Praveen (33), a resident of Cheeranahalli, Mandya district, was on a padayatra to the hill temple, at a distance of seven kilometers from Talabetta village, along with a group of six people during the early hours of Wednesday, when a leopard attacked them, near Rangaswamy Oddu.
The leopard dragged Praveen into a bush and had consumed the neck and private parts of the body. Praveen died on the spot due to heavy bleeding. The others, who were accompanying Praveen, had a narrow escape.
Learning about the incident, the Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary officials rushed to the spot, drove the leopard into the forest and shifted the body to the mortuary for post-mortem.
It may be mentioned that thousands of devotees take out a padayatra on special days like Shivaratri, Ugadi, and Deepavali and on Amavasya days. The leopard attack has caused panic among the devotees. They have demanded suitable protection.
Following the death due to leopard attack, Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Sri Roopa has issued orders restricting padayatra of devotees from Talabetta to MM Hill temple and also two-wheeler movement up to January 24. She has appealed to the devotees to use bus service or four wheelers to visit the temple in view of safety.