The farmers of Ammapalem village, five km from the temple town of Srikalahasti, were bewildered on seeing a herd of three wild elephants on the prowl a few days ago. However, they welcomed the jumbos as “divine guests”.
Taking pride in the name of Srikalahasti, which signifies a combination of spider, snake, and elephant, the farmers believe it is a celestial wonder to see wild elephants in their region. Though Srikalahasti has an “elephant” in its name, the centuries-old temple at present has no elephants in its possession for conducting regal processions during festivals.
The arrival of this “bachelors’ group” from the Tamil Nadu forests into Nagari plains early in March, after traveling a distance of over 200 km, had led to tension in several villages between Karveti Nagaram and Renigunta mandals. This is the second group of jumbos from Tamil Nadu to traverse the terrain of Chittoor district from west to east. The earlier jaunt took place year between January and May, during which period an elephant was electrocuted near Puttur, while two elephants returned to their habitat, before killing one person.
