The crocodile, which entered a temple of Khodiyar Mata in Mahisagar district of Gujarat, was rescued by forest officials on Sunday. The sudden arrival of crocodiles in the temple caused a stir and people started worshipping it. Meanwhile, the people who caught the crocodile were also delayed as the devotees who visited the temple started worshipping the crocodile. A senior official informed this.

Khodiyar Mata Patel is the founder goddess of the community. They are often described in religious literature riding crocodiles. As a result, villagers joined in the puja, terming the crocodile's arrival in the temple as auspicious. R.M. Singh, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mahisagar Parmar said the people who had gathered at the temple delayed the operation by about 2 hours. He said a large number of crocodiles were available in the reservoirs of the area but entered the temple after which a few different sights were found.

He said that at times they go four to five kilometres in search of food. "The crocodile was about four years old. Being told it had come to the temple to rest. We save about 30-35 crocodiles every year," said R. Singh, who is in charge of the Lunwada Forest Department. V. Patel said that the people of Palla village of Lunwada tehsil started worshipping crocodiles sitting near the idol of the goddess in the temple and unloading the aarti.