Hampi temple elephant relocated to Kolar for treatment

BALLARI: Elephant Lakshmi of Hampi’s Sri Virupaksha temple at Hosapete in Vijayanagara district has finally been relocated. The elephant was shifted to Kolar after 1 am on Wednesday.

The relocation was carried out by the Endowment Department and Vijayanagara district administration. There was a protest on Tuesday opposing the elephant’s relocation, and outrage was also expressed on social media.

Despite the opposition, the elephant has been shifted to Kolar for treatment. The mahout’s family cried bitterly over the elephant’s relocation. However, officials said the relocation was done because treatment is unavoidable.