Elephants Run Amok During Ahmedabad's Jagannath Rath Yatra, Devotees Flee In Panic
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A video of the terrifying moment, shared by news agency PTI, shows the exact sequence of chaos. In the footage, mahouts can be seen desperately trying to restrain the elephants
The Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad on Thursday was disrupted when a group of elephants, brought in as part of the traditional procession, suddenly went out of control. The unexpected chaos forced several devotees and bystanders to flee as the massive animals charged through the crowded streets, sending people scrambling for safety.
VIDEO | Gujarat: Chaos erupted during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad as elephants went out of control and trampled people. Further details awaited.(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/sEIiYhXmt6
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 27, 2025
A video of the terrifying moment, shared by news agency PTI, shows the exact sequence of chaos. In the footage, mahouts can be seen desperately trying to restrain the elephants as they panic and veer off course. One elephant charges straight into the crowd, forcing people to scramble for safety through the narrow lanes and congested streets.
The 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad began early Friday morning, drawing thousands of devotees eager for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra, and sister Subhadra. As per tradition, members of the Khalasi community ceremoniously pulled the three elaborately decorated chariots out of the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur.
The grand procession is expected to traverse a 16-kilometre route through the old city, including several communally sensitive areas, before returning to the temple by 8 pm. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with his family, offered prayers at the temple, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the 'pahind vidhi,' the symbolic ritual of cleaning the road with a golden broom.
The scale of the procession is immense, featuring 18 elephants, around 100 decorated trucks, 30 akhadas (local gyms), and multiple devotional groups known as 'bhajan mandalis'. Over the course of the day, an estimated 14-15 lakh devotees are expected to line the streets to witness the centuries-old tradition.
To ensure safety, authorities have deployed nearly 23,800 security personnel, including 4,500 officers walking alongside the yatra and nearly 2,000 managing traffic. An AI-based surveillance system has been introduced for the first time to detect overcrowding or fire hazards, sending real-time alerts to the control room.
Additionally, security is being monitored through 41 drones, 96 fixed cameras, 25 watchtowers, and 2,872 body-worn cameras linked directly to the police command center. In the run-up to the event, authorities conducted extensive community outreach with peace committees, women's groups, mohalla committees, and religious leaders to maintain communal harmony during the massive gathering.
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June 27, 2025, 13:02 IST
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