Lions Spotted Strolling on Sacred Hill, Captivating Devotees

In a remarkable occurrence, lions have been spotted roaming the sacred Shatrunjay Hill in Palitana, Bhavnagar district, in the days following the Diwali festival. The sightings, captured in viral video clips, have captivated devotees and tourists visiting the hill.

The state forest department has confirmed the authenticity of the footage, stating that the Shatrunjay Hill falls within the natural habitat of the lions. According to Jaipal Singh, the PCCF (wildlife), previous censuses have recorded a healthy population of lions in the area.

Yogesh Desai, the DCF of Bhavnagar, further revealed that the current pride consists of eight lions. To ensure the safety of visitors, the forest department has informed the trust officials managing the hill and deployed trained guards familiar with lion behavior to prevent any untoward incidents.

Lions have also been spotted in other parts of Bhavnagar district, including Valabhipur and several coastal areas, as well as in the neighboring Botad district. Forest officials continue to educate the local population, urging them to refrain from approaching the animals and to report sightings responsibly.