‘Divine’ dog returns to Bijnor temple after treatment, faces mob of devouts

Bijnor: Nandpur village in Bijnor district witnessed a devotional atmosphere juxtaposed with happiness and prayers as thousands of people made a beeline to the local temple after getting the news that their ‘divine dog' named Bhairav has returned on Wednesday after two weeks of treatment at an animal hospital in Delhi.Women and men in their best attire thronged the temple to have a ‘darshan' of Bhairav and were seen making grand plans such as holding a large bhandara, a yatra, etc. Villagers had earlier announced that a darbar would be organised at the Hanuman temple every Saturday.Villagers, meanwhile, expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the NGO team that played a crucial role in saving Bhairav's life. Ashwani Chitransh, trustee of Anand Charitable Trust, Bijnor, said doctors at Max Pet Hospital, Delhi, discharged Bhairav after his health improved rapidly. He had suffered a tick-borne infection that caused neurological issues. He was brought back to Nandpur village by a team from the NGO.Bhairav will continue with his medications for at least three more weeks, and the NGO team will closely monitor his health and his diet during this period.Chitransh said a villager, Ashwani Saini, who runs a shop near the temple, adopted Bhairav and would take responsibility for his care, and all formal procedures were completed. The NGO team will also remain in regular contact to ensure proper care and treatment. For the time being, Bhairav will be allowed to stay in and around the temple premises.According to villagers, the dog was first seen near the temple in the afternoon of Jan 11. In the early hours of Jan 12, he was seen circumambulating the idol of lord Hanuman in the temple, and this continued until Jan 18. During this time, villagers offered prayers for its good health, and melas were also organized at the temple.When Bhairav's health deteriorated and he could no longer stand, activists rescued him in the dead of the night and took him to an animal shelter in Noida.Trustee Dr Sandhya Rastogi said her trust maintains a shelter, Prem Path, which is home to over 145 stray dogs and eight monkeys.