Mandya, July 20, 2013: An ancient temple in Holalu village in the taluk was vandalised on Thursday.

The miscreants, in an alleged attempt to encroach temple land, demolished Sri Basaveshwara temple and damaged a Shivalinga and Nandi idols.

Devotees at the village said the 200-year-old temple had 40 acres of land. However, influential people have already encroached over 35 acres in the last few years, they said. The miscreants arrived in vehicles, demolished the temple, and sped away, they said.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July  20, 2013.