Sullia: In a rather rare incident, an employee of a temple met his tragic end after being gored by the ox that was domesticated in the temple, at Bellare, here on Monday.

The deceased is Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Ajapila-Bellare Supervisor Narayana Shetty (40).

As usual, Shetty had gone to untie the ox and bring it into the temple, during the afternoon prayers, as it has always been a ritual to do so.

It is said that the raged ox attacked Shetty on the backyard of the temple and left him in a critically injured state.

He was rushed to Sullia Community Health Centre, but he declared brought dead.

The incident has left the devotees and locals in a state of shock.