Beetle attack devotees at temple function

MADURAI: A swarm of forest beetle stirred by the smoke from a 'homa kundam' during a temple 'yagna' near here, stung the priests and several devotees.

At least 20 persons, who had gathered for the consecration of a Lord Ganesh temple at hilly Narasingam during the last two days, suffered sting injuries and were rushed to hospital with swollen face for treatment, officials said.

There were many colonies of bees and other insects near the Yanamalai, a hill where the temple is located.

The authorities, who put up the 'yagasala' did not notice the beetle colony near the temple. Shortly after the yagasala pooja started, the smoke from the kundam probably provoked the beetle, "Kadamba vandu", which started attacking those present there.

People ran for cover and the homam had to be stopped half-way on Sunday. Temple officials shifted the yagasala to the nearby Muruga temple. Though the main priest had come to the yagasala covering his body with clothes in order to complete the pooja, the others had to flee as again the beetle descended with a vengeance.