Mysuru: A pilgrim (30) travelling on foot from Mandya to Male Mahadeshwara Hills, a shrine in the border district of Chamarajanagar, was killed in a leopard attack 5km from the temple on Wednesday.Chamarajanagar superintendent of police M Muththuraj said Praveen, who was travelling along with 100 others, went missing around 6am. Since it was still dark and the area was under a thick layer of fog, his disappearance from the group was noticed only around 9am. His body — partially eaten — was found 200 metres from the pathway around 11am, he said. He was from Chiranahalli village.Sources said Praveen’s attempts to escape failed and the leopard pounced on him and dragged him into a forested area.
Officers said the attack occurred near Shaneeshwara temple, and the leopard, clutching Praveen, reportedly ran 200m down the hills to a lower range. He died instantly as the animal attacked him on the neck and in the groin area.A cop said the death left devotees shocked as the animal was seen on the roadside barrier moments before the attack. Later, entry to the shrine from the forest pathway was curbed as a precaution.MM Hills is a major pilgrimage centre in south Karnataka, and most devotees, from Mandya and neighbouring districts, prefer to walk there. The distance from Mandya to MM Hills is about 150km, and pilgrims walk long stretches before reaching the ghats. To access the temple located at 3,000ft above sea level, devotees must pass about a 5km of forest route, where wildlife movement is not uncommon. Police and forest department officials were expected to step up monitoring in the area and assess safety measures along the forested stretch used by pilgrims.
