The 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad was marred by chaos on Friday morning when three elephants participating in the sacred procession suddenly broke loose in the Khadia area, triggering panic among thousands of devotees.
The unexpected incident caused a brief stampede as people scrambled to safety, turning the spiritual celebration into a scene of fear. Eyewitnesses recalled the terrifying moment when the elephants veered off the designated route. “One moment we were cheering, and the next, elephants were charging toward us,” said Ramesh Bhai, a long-time attendee. “People ran in all directions—we were terrified.”
As the elephants ran wildly for several minutes, police and volunteers quickly jumped into action, halting all loud noises, including whistle-blowing, to avoid further distressing the animals.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had flagged off the Rath Yatra after performing the traditional Pahind ritual. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his family also took part in the Mangala Aarti at the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur, setting a solemn and devotional tone for the event.
The grand procession featured 18 elephants, 101 decorated trucks highlighting India’s cultural heritage, 30 akhadas, 18 bhajan groups, and three bands. Saints and monks from across the country, including Haridwar, Ayodhya, and Nashik, had also joined the yatra.
Fortunately, the crisis was swiftly brought under control. “It was terrifying, but the authorities and mahouts acted quickly,” said Meena Patel, a devotee. “The elephants were given a sedative injection and calmed down. It’s truly a blessing that no one was seriously injured.”