Bengaluru: Visitors to Muthodi Forest guesthouse in Chikkamagaluru district may not miss this small temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathi beside the staff quarters of forest officers.
There is a curious story behind this small temple constructed just a stone’s throw away from the main gate of Muthodi Nature Camp. A small idol of the elephant god is worshipped here with puja performed by staff members before they start their duty.
Thirty years ago, a range forest officer (RFO) was posted to Muthodi Forest range. He stayed in the staff quarters at the entry point. While living in the quarters, the officer had a 'rare visitor' to his home that used to bang at the doors and windows frequently.
This was a giant jumbo, staying in the nearby forests, which used to regularly visit his house literally leaving the officer shaken. He adopted all kinds of tricks to shoo away the wild tusker but it did not work out. The disturbance continued for many days with no relief in sight.
As a last resort, the RFO vowed that he would build a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha if the elephant menace stopped. Subsequently, he explained the incident to his senior officers and sought permission to consecrate a small idol of Ganesha near the RFO quarters.
He started building the temple by spending from his own pocket and also installed the Ganesha idol. Thereafter, the elephant stopped coming to his house and banging at the doors and windows. After the RFO's transfer, a small board has been put up in front of the temple explaining in detail the mystery behind the shrine.
A forest officer said there is no sign of wild elephants now near the staff quarters. A single horned wild jumbo rarely comes near the temple after sunset, stays for a few minutes, and leave without harming anyone. "This is mainly due to power of Lord Ganesha", he claimed.
