Nilambur: A wild bear created panic at a family temple in Pookkottumpadam, Malappuram, after breaking in and causing damage in the early hours of Monday. The incident took place at the Pottikkal Parraykkal family temple.

According to local reports, the animal broke the main door and entered the sanctum, toppling the idols and consuming ghee and other stored offerings.

Locals heard noise but didn’t suspect intrusion

“The sound was like someone pushing the door open. We heard it around 5.30 am, but since such an incident was unexpected, we didn’t pay much attention,” local resident Subrahmanian told Mathrubhumi News.

Idols toppled, storage box disturbed

The bear, after forcing open the door, entered the shrine and reportedly consumed ghee and other items stored inside. “It even overturned the idols,” Subrahmanian said, adding that the temple has two rooms, both of which were affected. “The bear also tried to overturn the storage box that held the oil and other materials.”

Earlier incident raises concerns

Sudhamani, another local resident, said a similar incident had occurred earlier at a temple just a kilometre away. “That time the bear had been captured, and we had been relieved. But now it has happened again, and we are scared,” she said.