Beltangady, Oct 22: The Netravati River, revered as one of India’s holiest rivers and recently recognized for having the purest water among Karnataka’s rivers, has become a cause for concern. The river flows through several sacred sites, including Pajiradka Sadashiva, Sadashiva Surya, Dharmasthala, Inoli Somanatheshwara, Nandavara Sri Vinayaka, Karinjeshwara, and Sahasralingeshwara.
A crocodile was recently sighted resting on the sandy shore near the confluence of the Mrutyunjaya and Netravati rivers, close to the Pajiradka Sadashiveshwara Temple in Kalmadka village, Beltangady taluk. This area, considered highly sacred, attracts pilgrims who believe bathing in the Netravati holds great spiritual merit. However, the crocodile’s presence has sparked fear among devotees and locals.
Forest department officials inspected the site after the sighting, and locals captured videos of the crocodile moving in the area at night. Similar sightings have been reported along multiple stretches of both the Netravati and Mrutyunjaya rivers in recent days.
Authorities have urged residents and visitors along the riverbanks to exercise caution and avoid bathing in the river until the crocodile is captured. Devotees have appealed to the authorities for immediate action to safely capture and relocate the crocodile, fearing that its presence near the temple bathing ghats could lead to tragic incidents at these revered pilgrimage centers.
