The 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad turned chaotic on Friday morning. Three elephants from the procession broke loose in the Khadia area, causing panic among thousands of devotees. Eyewitnesses described the moment as terrifying. Ramesh Bhai, a long-time attendee, said, “One moment we were cheering, and the next, elephants were charging toward us.” People ran in all directions to escape the rampaging elephants.
The elephants were part of a grand procession that included 18 elephants, decorated trucks, and various cultural displays. The event began with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performing a traditional ritual. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the event, which started with a solemn atmosphere.
As the elephants ran wild, police and volunteers quickly took action. They stopped all loud noises, such as whistles, to calm the animals. Fortunately, the situation was brought under control within minutes. The mahouts, or elephant handlers, acted swiftly to sedate the elephants involved. “It was terrifying, but the authorities acted quickly,” said Meena Patel, a devotee. “The elephants were given a sedative and calmed down. It’s a blessing that no one was seriously injured.”
The chaos began around 9:33 AM and was reportedly triggered by loud music and whistles in the crowded lanes. A male elephant lost control and charged through the narrow streets, prompting panic among onlookers. The crowd scattered as the elephant ran towards them. Eyewitnesses reported that the mahout jumped off the elephant and ran to calm it.
With the help of two female elephants, the male elephant was eventually subdued. RK Sahu, the Superintendent of the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden, stated that the elephant was given a tranquilizer injection immediately after it became agitated. The remaining 17 elephants continued the procession without further incident.
The Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is one of the city’s most significant religious events. It attracts thousands of devotees every year. Elaborate arrangements are made to manage the large crowds and various participants, including elephants and decorated chariots.
Despite the panic, authorities confirmed that no serious injuries were reported. However, three individuals did suffer injuries, including a cameraman caught in the chaos. One person was taken to SVP Hospital for treatment.
In response to the incident, officials decided to halt all DJ music and loudspeakers along the yatra route. This measure aims to prevent any further distress to the animals. Police instructed all vehicles to mute their sound systems immediately.
The Rath Yatra continued without the male elephant, which has been secured in a designated area to ensure safety. The event remains a cherished tradition for many in Ahmedabad, despite the brief moment of chaos.
Leave a Reply