Ahmedabad: The colourful festival of Rath Yatra was suddenly disrupted as one of the elephants, exquisitely decorated for the festival, unceremoniously broke ranks and ran off in Ahmedabad. The videos of the same incident have gone viral on social media. The footage shows people scattering in panic as mahouts struggle to regain control of the elephants. One of the elephants can be seen charging directly toward the crowd. This prompted devotees and bystanders to flee through the narrow lanes.
Watch the video here:
Watch | Three elephants in Ahmedabad Rath Yatra procession went out of control and started running in the Khadia area of the city. pic.twitter.com/iqNGRjROVo
— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) June 27, 2025
The incident took place around 10:15 am on Friday as the procession passed through the densely packed Khadia area of Ahmedabad. At least two are injured, reported the Indian Express. Eyewitnesses said the animal’s sudden aggression created a stampede-like situation, with people scrambling to safety.
The procession in Ahmedabad typically features a grand lineup of 18 elephants, around 100 trucks, devotional music groups known as bhajan mandlis. There are also 30 akhadas or local gymnasiums in the procession.
The state government said quick action by mahouts and the forest department helped bring the situation under control. Zoo and forest officials tranquilized the agitated elephant and moved it away from the procession route.
