Dalma authorities have begun cautioning devotees who flock to the Shiva temple in the sprawling elephant sanctuary during the holy month of Shravan about Don, the maverick tusker that's sure to be lurking around nearby.

On Monday, the 50-year-old elephant with a broken tusk, chased away a group of devotees who were climbing up to the Shiva temple, some 4km from the Pinderbera guest house, to offer arghya.

The tusker was equally unwelcoming during the evening when the devotees were coming downhill after a darshan of Lord Shiva.

"The incidents happened near Konkadasa. The devotees got scared and began running helter-skelter. Although Don did not hurt anyone, things could have turned dangerous. Later, it took a Herculean effort by me to guide the tusker towards Teesri water body," explained Dalma guard Kaleshwar Bhagat.

Dons is usually there, as if in waiting, for devotes who come to the sanctuary via Makulakocha, the main entry point.

According to Mangal Kachhap, range officer of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, there are certain dos and don'ts that devotees should follow when they come across Don.

"We advise them to stand rooted for a while and maintain a distance of 100m and then slip into the jungle. Devotees must not try to cross the tusker or pelt stones at him as that may irritate him," he added.

Don, Kachhap explained, had a habit of standing on the main stretch of the road that goes to the temple.

Asked who would be able to muster courage to face Don, the range officer said there was no alternative to what he was prescribing.

"There is no other option.... The tusker may terrorise you if you try to cross him or pelt stones. He will not do anything if you stand rooted at one place before moving ahead on the route to the jungle," Kachhap maintained, adding they were all quite familiar with the elephant's mood swings.

"Don has been staying in Dalma for years. He is generally a loner and treats himself like a king. He loves terrorising people, but generally doesn't hurt anyone. We have begun cautioning devotees as we don't want any trouble. It would be prudent to follow our advice," the range officer added.