Malkangiri: Panic gripped patients and attendants at the Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital in Odisha after a large cobra was spotted inside a temple on the premises of the healthcare facility on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, the incident occurred at the Ganesh temple located within the hospital premises. As part of his daily routine, a priest entered the temple early in the morning to perform puja when he noticed a cobra with its hood raised inside. Startled by the sight, the priest rushed out of the temple and raised an alarm.

A crowd quickly gathered near the temple. Hospital authorities were immediately informed, and they contacted a local snake helpline for assistance.

Members of the snake rescue team soon reached the spot and successfully rescued the cobra from inside the temple. Witnesses said the reptile appeared aggressive and had reportedly swallowed a rat.

Doctors at the hospital said the snake may have entered the premises from the nearby dense forest. They assured that necessary precautions would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.