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Mahishasura statue atop Chamundi Hills damaged

Last Updated 14 March 2015, 21:40 IST
The iconic statue of Mahishasura atop the Chamundi Hills was damaged on Friday.

The incident came to light on Saturday and the police suspect it to be an accident. However, rumour has it that vandals deliberately smashed a part of the toe of the cement statue with a rock. Police Inspector Parashuramappa of KR police station said the incident might have occurred on Friday evening during the car festival of Mahabaleshwara temple located near the Chamundi temple atop the hills.

“During the car festival, some devotees could have smashed coconuts near the foot of the statue, as part of a ritual. The damage might have occurred when such offerings were made,” he said.

Pieces of coconut shells were found at the foot of the statue indicating the incident was an accident, he said. He dismissed rumours that the statue was deliberately damaged.

A S Gramopadhye, executive officer of the Chamundi temple, said the damage was repaired shortly after the incident had come to light. It is an accident, probably caused by devotees smashing coconuts, he said.

“The gates of the fencing around the statue were open on Friday, during which some devotees might have entered and smashed coconuts at the foot of the statue. The gates have now been locked to prevent anyone from entering,” he said. No police complaint has been filed in this connection.

According to historian Nanjaraj Urs, the statue was erected during the rule of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, between 1940-47. This is the first reported incident in which the famous statue has been damaged.

The monolithic idol of Nandi was vandalised in January 2013 and a mentally unsound youth was arrested for the crime.

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(Published 14 March 2015, 21:36 IST)

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