Kerala: Two separate elephant rampage incidents during temple festivals in Kerala on May 1 have left two people dead and several others injured, reigniting concerns over safety measures and the continued use of captive elephants in religious events.
The incidents were reported from Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, where large crowds had gathered as part of ongoing temple festivities. Authorities have since initiated safety reviews and temporarily halted celebrations at both locations.
Rampage at Kidangoor Sree Mahavishnu Temple
The first incident occurred at Kidangoor Sree Mahavishnu Temple near Angamaly in Ernakulam district during post-festival routines on Friday morning.
The elephant, identified as Mayyanad Parthasarathy, reportedly turned aggressive while being taken for watering around 9:15 am. In a sudden outburst, the animal attacked Vishnu, a lorry driver from Kollam who had transported the elephant to the temple premises.
Eyewitnesses said the elephant lifted the victim with its trunk, trampled him, and fatally gored him. He died on the spot.
The agitated elephant also caused significant damage to property, overturning a parked car multiple times and damaging nearby two-wheelers. Panic spread among devotees and workers, who rushed to safety as officials attempted to control the situation.
The primary mahout, Pradeep, sustained serious injuries while trying to restrain the elephant and is currently undergoing treatment in an intensive care unit.
A specialised Elephant Squad from the Forest Department was deployed, and after nearly four hours of effort, the animal was successfully tranquilised around noon.
Second tragedy at Koodalmanikyam Temple
Hours later, another fatal incident took place at Koodalmanikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district.
The elephant Vazhavady Kasinathan, which had reportedly shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the previous night, broke out of its temporary enclosure on Friday afternoon and attacked handlers at the venue.
Sreekuttan (25), a second mahout, suffered severe chest injuries after being trampled. He later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Irinjalakuda. Another mahout, Amal (28), was also injured and continues to receive medical care.
Festivals halted amid panic
Both incidents triggered panic among devotees, prompting authorities to suspend festival activities temporarily at the affected temples. Police and forest department officials secured the premises and initiated safety assessments.
Temple festivals in Kerala often feature captive elephants as a central part of processions, drawing large crowds. However, repeated incidents involving elephants turning aggressive have raised serious concerns over crowd safety, animal welfare, and the risks faced by handlers.
Growing debate over use of captive elephants
The latest tragedies have intensified the ongoing debate around the use of elephants in temple festivals. Experts and activists have long pointed to factors such as stress, loud environments, and long hours of exposure to crowds as triggers for unpredictable behaviour in captive elephants.
There have been increasing calls for stricter regulations, improved monitoring, and alternative practices to ensure both human safety and animal welfare.
Conclusion
The twin incidents in Kerala underline the urgent need for stronger safety protocols and a re-evaluation of traditional practices involving captive elephants. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to review existing guidelines to prevent similar tragedies and ensure safer festival environments in the future.