Fri Oct 03 14:58:14 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the events, suitable for The Hindu:

**Wild Elephant Causes Panic at Coimbatore Temple**

**Coimbatore, October 3, 2025:** Tense moments unfolded at the Arulmigu Vellingiri Andavar Thirukovil in Poondi, Coimbatore district, on Thursday evening after a wild elephant entered the temple premises, including the sanctum sanctorum.

Devotees offering prayers at the temple, which houses deities Arulmigu Vellingiri Andavar, Arulmigu Poondi Vinayagar and Arulmigu Manonmani Amman, scattered in panic as the tusker wandered into the mandapam. The elephant, believed to have entered from the nearby Boluvampatti forest range, did not harm anyone despite a large number of devotees being present for the Vijaya Dasami celebrations.

The Forest Department swiftly responded to the situation, with frontline staff successfully driving the elephant back into the forest. District Forest Officer N. Jayaraj confirmed that the elephant caused no damage to temple property. Staff are stationed at the location for night patrol to monitor the situation.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR & CE) confirmed on Friday that no devotees were injured during the incident. Following a meeting, officials have decided to construct a 10-foot concrete compound wall around the temple to prevent future incursions. As a temporary measure, heavy-duty steel railings will be erected in front of the mandapam, with work commencing soon. The meeting also included temple trustees and the Forest Range Officer of Boluvampatti range.

The HR & CE Department aims to begin construction of the wall by the end of October.

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