HAMPI (KARNATAKA): Centuries-old Viruapaksha temple in Hampi banned bananas from its premises in a bid to keep the area clean and save its temple elephant, which is often subjected to endless selfies by overzealous tourists while feeding it bananas by the dozens.
Hanaumantappa, temple endowment officer, told TOI they announced the ban against carrying bananas into the temple in line with a directive by the Vijayanagara district administration.
Sources said many visitors bring bananas and feed the temple’s elephant. After feeding it, they often leave leftover bananas and plastic bags behind, littering the area. The temple is a part of Unesco-recognized world heritage site.
The temple elephant, 36-year-old Laxmi, was looking visibly disturbed when some visitors reportedly force-fed the pachyderm recently, forcing the temple authorities to impose the ban, sources said. The temple sees daily footfall of upwards of 5,000 pilgrims, which goes up to 50,000 during holidays and weekends.
Hanaumantappa said the temple is a sacred place – also known as “Dakshin Kashi”. He appealed to pilgrims and devotees to cooperate with the administration in maintaining cleanliness at the temple.