Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan — The tragic death of a 7-year-old boy in a tiger attack near the Trinetra Ganesh Temple inside Ranthambore National Park has prompted the Forest Department to take strict action. Authorities have announced that the temple will remain closed for five days to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors.

The boy, Kartik Suman, had traveled from Gohata village in Bundi district along with his grandmother and uncle to visit the famous Trinetra Ganesh Temple. After offering prayers at the temple, the child excitedly clicked photos at the historic Ranthambore Fort. But during the return journey, the peaceful trip turned into a nightmare.

While walking slightly ahead of his grandmother on the forest trail, a tiger lurking nearby pounced on him and dragged him away into the dense jungle. Despite desperate attempts from nearby visitors to save the child, the tiger disappeared with its prey. After an intense search operation, the child’s lifeless body was found not far from the attack site.

In the wake of the shocking incident, the Forest Department swung into action. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve’s Chief Forest Conservator, Anoop K.R., issued an official order closing the temple for the next five days. The order cited the active movement of tigers along the pedestrian route to the temple as a major threat.

The entry of devotees to the temple will remain completely restricted until the area is declared safe. Even before the official order, forest guards had temporarily blocked the primary access route to the temple soon after the incident.

This area of Ranthambore is known for frequent sightings of tigers, including the famous Tigress Sultana, Tiger T-120, and Arrowhead (T-84) along with her cubs, who are often spotted roaming the same trails.

The child’s tragic death has deeply saddened not just the family, but the entire community of Sawai Madhopur and surrounding areas. Cabinet Minister Kirori Lal Meena met the grieving family at the district hospital and assured them of government support.

This heartbreaking incident has once again highlighted the fragile relationship between humans and wildlife in buffer zones around tiger reserves. Authorities are now under pressure to implement long-term solutions to prevent such incidents, especially on religious paths frequented by large groups of pilgrims.