Tiger Blocks Devotees' Path at Ranthambore Fort, Sparks Panic and Raises Safety Concerns

Sawai Madhopur, April 30 A tiger sighting on the pathway to the revered Trinetra Ganesh Temple at Ranthambore Fort caused panic on Wednesday morning as the wild cat obstructed the movement of devotees for nearly 20 minutes, raising fresh concerns about safety in the heritage fort area.

Devotees Flee as Tiger Walks Along Fort Path

According to eyewitnesses, the tiger was first spotted pacing along the boundary wall of the temple route before descending directly onto the main pathway, used daily by hundreds of pilgrims visiting the temple. The unexpected presence of the tiger led to chaos, with some devotees taking refuge in nearby shelters while others made a risky retreat.

“The tiger came dangerously close to the path. It was frightening. Some people froze in fear, while others ran back down the hill,” said one devotee who witnessed the scene.

Tiger Suspected to Be From Arrowhead’s Litter

Forest officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the tiger, but preliminary observations suggest it could be one of the sub-adult cubs of tigress Arrowhead, known to inhabit the Ranthambore zone along with her offspring.

This isn’t the first alarming incident on this route. On April 16, a tragic tiger attack on the same path led to the death of a 7-year-old boy, Kartik Suman. Following that incident, the Forest Department had closed the temple route for nine days, assuring the public that safety measures had been reinforced upon reopening. However, continued sightings and Wednesday’s incident contradict those claims.

Renewed Demands for Permanent Safety Measures

The tiger’s approach toward the devotees on Wednesday heightened the fear, reinforcing calls from the local community and pilgrims for permanent security arrangements. Suggestions include setting up dedicated tiger monitoring teams, installing secure fencing or elevated walkways, and improving real-time surveillance.

Forest Department officials have acknowledged the incident and stated that additional patrols would be deployed in the area. However, they refrained from commenting on whether the route would be closed again.

Ranthambore Fort: A Heritage Site in a Wildlife Zone

Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is uniquely situated within a tiger reserve, making encounters between wildlife and pilgrims increasingly frequent. The fort houses the famous Trinetra Ganesh Temple, which attracts thousands of visitors each month.

With the rise in tiger-human interactions in temple pathways, authorities face the challenge of balancing religious access and wildlife conservation, while ensuring that public safety is not compromised.