Shivamogga: An elephant carrying a 650-kg silver howdah ran amok during the Dasara procession in Shivamogga, damaging buildings and vehicles and triggering panic among people gathered for the celebrations.
The elephant, Somananna, reportedly became agitated while moving through the streets during the procession on Wednesday. The situation escalated when the animal moved uncontrollably and the ornate silver ambari, or ceremonial howdah, fell from its back.
People scrambled to move away from the elephant as it made its way through the area. Veterinary officials subsequently sedated Somananna to bring the animal under control, while police personnel worked to manage the panicked crowd and prevent further danger.
The incident disrupted the Dasara celebrations and prompted senior officials to reach the spot to oversee the situation.
Elephant becomes agitated during procession
Somananna was carrying the silver howdah as part of Shivamogga’s Dasara procession when it reportedly became agitated and began moving through the streets uncontrollably.
The incident caused damage to buildings and vehicles along the elephant’s path. People attending the procession were forced to move away to avoid getting caught in the animal’s path.
The 650-kg silver howdah, locally known as an ambari, is an ornate platform mounted on an elephant during ceremonial processions. Its fall added to the disruption as officials and others at the scene focused on bringing the elephant under control.
The exact circumstances that caused Somananna to become agitated have not been established in the available reports.
Veterinary team sedates elephant
Veterinary officials intervened and sedated Somananna to calm the animal and prevent the situation from escalating further.
Police personnel faced the challenge of controlling the crowd as people attempted to move away from the elephant. Senior officials, including Shivamogga Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Forest Officer, were present at the scene to monitor the response.
The elephant was later reported to be recovering at the Kote Seetharamanjaneya Temple.
Further details about the extent of the damage, whether anyone sustained injuries and the circumstances leading to the incident were not immediately available.
Dasara celebrations disrupted
The procession was part of Karnataka’s Dasara festivities, a major annual celebration associated with Goddess Chamundeshwari’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.
While Mysuru is internationally known for its grand Dasara celebrations and the Jamboo Savari procession on Vijayadashami, several other parts of Karnataka also organise processions and cultural events during the festival.
In Mysuru, an elephant traditionally carries a golden howdah during the Jamboo Savari procession, which draws large crowds of residents and visitors. Shivamogga also observes Dasara with public celebrations and ceremonial processions.
The incident involving Somananna highlighted the challenges of managing large animals amid crowded public events. Elephants are central to several traditional religious and cultural processions, but their size and strength can pose serious risks if they become agitated in crowded areas.
The immediate priority in Shivamogga was to secure the area, calm the elephant and ensure the safety of people attending the celebrations.