Elephant Disruption in Ahmedabad's 148th Rath Yatra

Ahmedabad, Jun 27 (PTI) - A man was injured during Ahmedabad's Rath Yatra procession on Friday when an agitated male elephant broke through a barricade and rushed into a narrow alley, officials said. The mahouts on two other elephants managed to control the situation, ensuring the procession continued smoothly along its route.

RK Sahu, the superintendent of Kankaria Zoo, noted that the incident was caused by the male elephant becoming disturbed by excessive noise as the procession reached Khadia Gate. “The elephant abruptly veered off its path due to loud music and whistles, but the mahouts controlled it with the help of two female elephants,” said Sahu.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Control Room) Komal Vyas confirmed that the injured bystander was taken to a nearby hospital, adding that the parade resumed as planned. The Rath Yatra, in its 148th year, commenced at Ahmedabad's 400-year-old Jagannath temple and is expected to return by 8 pm after winding through the old city.

The grand event usually involves 17 elephants, 100 trucks, and 30 akhadas (local gymnasiums), traversing a 16 km route. Only one of these elephants is male, noted Sahu, who oversees their health and issues fitness certificates before the event. A video of the agitated elephant breaking a barricade and running into a crowd before turning into a narrow lane has gone viral.

“The elephant was quickly subdued without using a tranquiliser. Now, all three elephants have been tied up and will not rejoin the procession,” Sahu added. Personnel from Kankaria Zoo, the forest department, and veterinary doctors remain vigilant, with three teams deployed along the route equipped with tranquilising guns.