Chamarajanagar: A leopard attacked and killed a devotee who was on a trek to the famous Male Mahadeshwara temple in Hanur taluk on Wednesday morning, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Praveen, aged around 30, from Mandya district, they said.
Praveen, who had come to visit Male Mahadeshwara hill along with his villagers from Chiranhalli in Mandya district, stayed at Talubetta on Tuesday night and was on his way to the hill on foot on Wednesday morning. While he was on his way on foot, the leopard suddenly attacked Praveen near a pond and dragged him into the forest. Police said that Praveen died of severe bleeding due to serious injuries to his neck and other parts of his body.
He said that Praveen and others who were with him managed to flee from the spot immediately after the leopard attacked and escaped with their lives.
Forest department officials rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the news and conducted an investigation. The body of the deceased has been recovered from the spot.
Trekking suspended
The trekking to Male Mahadeshwar hill has been suspended in the wake of the leopard attack. As a precautionary measure, the forest officials have advised to suspend the trekking for four days.