In an effort to maintain cleanliness and safeguard the welfare of its temple elephant, the centuries-old Virupaksha Temple in Hampi has banned bananas on its premises. Increased tourist activity, which includes feeding bananas to the temple's elephant, Laxmi, has led to leftover bananas and plastic bags littering the area. The ban aims to ensure the sacred site remains clean and to protect Laxmi from distress.
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