A video capturing an elephant going on a rampage during the closing ceremony of the Tharakkal temple festival in Thrissur, Kerala, has surfaced on various social media platforms.
The incident took place at approximately 10:30 pm, as Guruvayur Ravikrishnan, the elephant participating in the procession for the ‘Ammathiruvady’ deity of Urakam, suddenly became uncontrollable, causing chaos among the attendees. The elephant’s mahout, Sreekumar (53), narrowly avoided three aggressive attempts by the animal. He suffered minor injuries and was subsequently transported to a private hospital in Koorkenchery.
Puthuppally Arjunan, another elephant brought for the deity of Arattupuzha, was also a target of the rampaging elephant. Consequently, both elephants engaged in a charge, causing great concern among the festival attendees. People who were being carried by the elephants were thrown to the ground and suffered injuries. Additionally, many others who tried to escape from the chaotic scene also fell and got injured. Arjunan, the injured elephant, ran for about 1 km before being eventually restrained by the elephant squad.
