Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad: Elephant Runs Amok, Crowd Momentarily Panic-Stricken
Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad: Elephant Runs Amok, Crowd Momentarily Panic-Stricken
The incident occurred during the 148th annual procession; the elephant was safely controlled, and no injuries were reported.
A moment of chaos briefly unfolded during the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad’s Khadia area on Friday when an elephant involved in the procession became agitated and lost control. According to officials, the situation was swiftly brought under control with the help of veterinary experts and the forest department.
Police immediately evacuated the surrounding area to ensure the safety of devotees. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported during the incident.
The annual Rath Yatra, one of the oldest and most significant religious processions in the city, began early Friday morning. It involves a grand parade of chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, drawn according to centuries-old tradition by members of the Khalasi community.
The 400-year-old procession sets off from the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur and travels through various parts of the old city, including several communally sensitive zones, before returning to the temple premises by around 8 PM.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his family offered prayers at the temple in the morning. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also participated, performing the traditional ‘Pahind Vidhi’, which symbolically cleans the road with a golden broom ahead of the chariots’ movement.
This year’s yatra features 18 elephants, 100 decorated trucks, bhajan troupes, and 30 akharas (wrestling troupes), covering a 16-kilometre route. Many of the trucks are themed with vibrant tableau designs.
Thousands of devotees are expected to line the streets throughout the day to catch a glimpse of the deities. Police officials have implemented extensive security arrangements to ensure the event proceeds smoothly and safely.
