Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Apr 24: An incident of vandalism was reported at the Sri Panchalingeshwara temple in Balanja village, where a man identified as Ajay allegedly entered the temple premises on Wednesday night and damaged the idol of the deity.

On Wednesday night, Ajay arrived in a Thar vehicle to the house of Subrahmanya Bhat, located next to the temple, and shouted loudly ‘Enan bachav malpi’ while attempting to enter the house. The family members scolded him and sent him away.

Later, he jumped into the temple’s sacred pond (Jalaka kere) and from there proceeded directly to the temple. He climbed onto the temple structure using a pillar, removed the roof tiles, and entered inside. He then descended into the shrine of Kodamanittaya Daiva, removed the bell kept on the deity’s platform, and placed it near the roof tiles, indulging in acts of desecration.

Subsequently, he rang the large bell located near the temple’s theertha mantapa, entered the sanctum of Lord Gopalakrishna, took the idol, threw it to the ground, and broke it. He also scattered the temple items kept inside the shrine.

Venur police arrived at the spot, questioned Ajay, and reportedly released him after obtaining a written undertaking.