Rath Yatra Elephant Rampage Blamed on Blaring Noise

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – What began as a majestic spectacle during Ahmedabad’s 148th grand Rath Yatra nearly turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a decorated male elephant, startled by a cacophony of loud DJ music and incessant police whistles, erupted into a terrifying rampage in the densely packed Khadia area. The sudden, uncontrollable surge by the enormous animal triggered a stampede, sending terrified devotees scattering, but swift action by its experienced mahout and dedicated animal husbandry teams averted what could have been a catastrophic loss of life.

The uncontrollable elephant, now safely isolated in a quiet Khadia street, remains under the watchful eyes of its mahout, Umesh Maharaj, along with a formidable team including the Superintendent of Ahmedabad Zoo, wildlife doctors, and police officers. All roads surrounding the impromptu holding area have been sealed off, ensuring no one approaches the animal as it regains its composure.

Umesh Maharaj, the mahout who has steered elephants in the Rath Yatra for six years, recounted the harrowing moments. “We had reached the Khadia area when the incident occurred,” he explained, his voice still resonating with the intensity of the experience. “There was a DJ playing directly in front of us, incredibly loud. And all around, security personnel were blowing their whistles constantly to move the crowd – it’s their routine practice, and people were everywhere on the road.” He continued, “Due to all this noise and commotion, one of our three male elephants became uncontrollable, and a stampede ensued.”

The incident involved a male elephant and two female elephants that accompany it. Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry, S.B. Upadhyay, elaborated on the trigger: “First, a female elephant screamed at the overwhelming sound of the DJ and whistles. This prompted a male elephant from her group to come closer, likely in a protective gesture, which then led to the stampede.”

Despite the sudden chaos, Maharaj’s quick thinking proved vital. “We immediately subdued the elephant and brought it to a quiet street in Khadia, where we’ve secured it for now. The two other female elephants have also been brought here,” he confirmed. The crisis was defused not by emergency tranquilizers, but by the natural calming effect of a serene environment. “After being brought to a quiet place, the elephant automatically calmed down,” Dr. Upadhyay affirmed, noting that no emergency injections were required for its immediate calming. Routine health injections are part of their ongoing care, but not for this specific incident’s resolution.

The Animal Husbandry Department had conducted thorough health checks on all participating elephants before the Yatra, as is standard practice. “The situation did not worsen, and everyone managed the situation very well by coordinating, so no casualties occurred,” Dr. Upadhyay stressed, commending the collective effort. The male and two female elephants will remain isolated until the Rath Yatra concludes and the crowds disperse, after which they will be safely returned to the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur.