WATCH | Wild elephant enters Kukke Subrahmanya town, returns to forest The Hindu December 2, 2024 See link <https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/wild-elephant-enters-kukke-subrahmanya-town-returns-to-forest/article68937036.ece> for photo. A wild elephant entered the temple town of Kukke Subrahmanya in Dakshina Kannada late evening on December 1, 2024. A forest department official said that the elephant was spotted in the town at about 8 p.m. After forest officials and locals chased the pachyderm, it disappered into the nearby forest after some time. It did not attack anyone or any property in the town, the official said. The wild elephant’s entry caused panic among townsfolk after it was seen near the Mahadwara, the main entrance of the temple, and near the Kukke Samputa Narasimhaswamy Mutt. Jubin Mohapatra, Assistant Commissioner, Puttur-Sub Division, said that the forest department has formed a team to trace the elephant if it was nearby and to drive it further away. The town is home to the well-known Kukke Subrahmanya temple, which sees the highest footfalls in Karnataka. Kukke Subrahmanya is witnessing Champashasti celebrations since November 27. It will go on till December 12. The panchami rathotsava is scheduled on December 6 while Champashasti is scheduled on December 7. The Champashasti festivals attracts huge crowd from faraway places in Karnataka. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/wild-elephant-enters-kukke-subrahmanya-town-returns-to-forest/article68937036.ece