Ahmedabad Rath Yatra : Viral Elephant Beating Video Raises Alarms

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – Days after a dramatic incident during the 148th Rath Yatra where an elephant ran amok, panic spread again—this time online—as a video surfaced showing a mahout brutally beating an elephant inside the Jagannath temple premises. The 43-second video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the mahout striking the elephant 19 times with a stick, sparking public outrage and demands for accountability.

The viral footage has intensified scrutiny over the treatment of temple elephants and animal handling during large public events. What has shocked many is the timing—surfacing so soon after the Rath Yatra nearly turned tragic due to elephants going out of control.

On June 27, during the procession’s passage through Ahmedabad’s Khadiya area, an elephant named Babu panicked due to the blaring sound of a whistle and DJ music, causing a brief stampede. “Three elephants became uncontrollable, but thanks to the swift action of the zoo staff, mahouts, and police, they were contained before a major disaster occurred,” a senior police official said.

Fortunately, no serious casualties were reported, but the incident has raised fresh questions about the safety of animals and devotees during the annual religious event.

Now, with this disturbing video circulating, concerns are mounting. Animal rights activists and citizens are demanding immediate investigation. “This is not devotion—this is brutality,” said Sneha Patel, an Ahmedabad-based animal rights campaigner. “If this is how temple elephants are trained or punished, it’s time the authorities step in.”

The video, reportedly shot in the elephant enclosure of the Jagannath temple, shows a visibly distressed elephant enduring repeated blows. It remains unclear whether the video was recorded before or after the Rath Yatra. Repeated attempts to reach Mahant Dilip Dasji Maharaj for clarification went unanswered.