A moment of sacred celebration at the city’s Rath Yatra turned tense on Friday morning when a male elephant suddenly broke from the procession near Desai Ni Pol in Khadia, prompting panic among onlookers.
The elephant, the only bull among the 18 in the grand chariot procession, reportedly grew agitated and strayed from the route, causing chaos in the densely crowded stretch.
RK Sahu, Superintendent of the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden, confirmed that the incident was swiftly handled following established protocols. “The elephant was tranquilised promptly. Two female elephants were used to safely guide him away from the public and out of the procession path,” he said.
Thanks to the quick response of the forest department and security personnel, no injuries were reported. The male elephant has since been isolated and will not rejoin the remaining procession.
Despite the initial shock, the Rath Yatra continued with the 17 remaining female elephants leading the way alongside the traditional chariots.
The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is one of the city’s largest religious gatherings, drawing thousands of devotees annually. This year’s incident underscores the importance of strict safety measures for animals and attendees during such massive events.
