Mumbai, February 21: A rare video of a tiger interacting with an ancient Shivling in the dense forests of Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district has gone viral, triggering a debate between religious faith and wildlife science. The video, recorded recently, shows a large tiger calmly approaching a stone platform deep within the Dhimarkheda forest range.

Rather than showing aggression, the big cat is seen rubbing its head and tongue against the sacred idol for several minutes before peacefully retreating into the wilderness. The incident occurred near the village of Sadar, just 400 meters from human settlements. While local devotees have hailed the sight as a "divine miracle" and a sign of the tiger’s devotion to Lord Shiva, forest officials have issued a high-priority alert for the surrounding villages. Tiger Spotted in Lakhimpur Kheri: Big Cat Seen Taking Nap in Wheat Fields in Uttar Pradesh, Drone Video Goes Viral.

Video of Tiger Touching Head to Shivling in MP Forest Goes Viral

Authorities are concerned that the viral nature of the video may draw large crowds of pilgrims into the high-risk buffer zone, increasing the potential for dangerous human-animal conflict.

The video has divided social media, with many users describing the tiger as a "Shiv Bhakt" (devotee of Shiva). Local villagers, who have long worshipped the ancient idol situated in the forest, believe the animal was offering its respects. The calm demeanor of the tiger, which typically remains elusive and wary of structures, has added to the public's fascination. Is Viral Video of Tiger Handing Child Back From Zoo Enclosure Real or Fake? Clip Is AI-Generated, Fact Check Reveals.

However, wildlife experts and forest officials have offered a more grounded explanation. Ajay Mishra, the Pan Umaria Range Officer, noted that tigers and leopards frequently use hard surfaces, such as trees, rocks, or stone platforms, to relieve itching or to mark their territory. By rubbing its head and tongue on the Shivling, the tiger was likely depositing its scent to signal its presence to other predators in the area.

Forest Department Response and Safety Measures

Following the viral spread of the footage, the Katni Forest Department has deployed specialised patrolling teams to the Sadar forest area. Officials are particularly worried about "selfie-seekers" and devotees attempting to reach the forest temple for a glimpse of the animal.

  • Patrolling: Increased monitoring in the Dhimarkheda range to track the tiger's movement.

  • Public Advisories: Villagers have been strictly advised not to enter the forest alone or after sunset.

  • Crowd Control: Measures are being put in place to restrict unauthorised access to the temple site during evening hours.

The Katni district is no stranger to the presence of big cats. The region borders significant wildlife corridors, and sightings are common. However, the proximity of this specific sighting, just 400 meters from a village, is a cause for concern. Past incidents in the district, including a fatal tiger attack in the Barhi range in late 2025, have kept local communities on edge.

Forest officials emphasise that while the video is visually stunning, the tiger remains a wild predator. They have urged the public to refrain from attaching human emotions to animal behaviour, as doing so can lead to a dangerous lapse in safety precautions.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2026 03:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).