Elephants run amok during 148th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, triggering panic among devotees
Ahmedabad: Chaos erupted during the 148th grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannathji in Ahmedabad on Friday morning after three elephants participating in the procession broke free and ran wild through the densely crowded Khadia area, triggering a stampede-like situation.
The incident took place shortly after Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the yatra by performing the traditional, Pahind Vidhi, the ceremonial cleaning of the path for Lord Jagannath's chariot, a moment further marked by the offering of an honor guard to the deity for the first time. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his family also took part in the early morning Mangala Aarti at the Jamalpur Jagannath Temple.
Eyewitnesses recounted terrifying moments as the elephants, one of which was leading a group of 18, veered off the designated route. “One minute we were cheering, the next there were elephants charging,” said long-time devotee Ramesh Bhai. “Everyone just started running. It was terrifying.”
The elephants, reportedly agitated by the crowd and noise, charged into the throng of devotees, creating a scene of panic and confusion. Police and forest department staff immediately swung into action, issuing urgent instructions to volunteers to cease whistle-blowing and other noises that could further agitate the animals.
Forest officials and mahouts eventually managed to tranquilize and calm the elephants. According to sources, the situation was brought under control immediately, and no serious injuries were reported. “It was terrifying, but the police and mahouts acted swiftly,” said Meena Patel, another devotee. “It’s a miracle no one was seriously hurt.”
Despite the incident, the yatra, one of the most elaborate religious processions in the country, continued with the participation of thousands of saints, monks, and devotees from across India. The grand event featured 18 elephants, 101 decorated trucks showcasing Indian heritage, 30 akhadas (martial art troupes), 18 bhajan groups, and three bands.
The viral video of the elephants breaking free has drawn widespread attention on social media, with many expressing relief that a potentially fatal disaster was narrowly averted.
An elephant went out of control during Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, there was a stampede.
— Siddharth (@Siddharth_00001) June 27, 2025
The uncontrollable elephant was leading a group of 18 elephants in the Rath Yatra. It was controlled by the forest department staff.
Jagannath Mahaprabhu sabhi ki raksha kare… pic.twitter.com/F1L1jA5ium
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Three youths bludgeon 40-year-old man to death with brick in Baghpat
Baghpat (UP) (PTI): Police said on Saturday that three youths allegedly bludgeoned a man to death with a brick in Meetli village here following a late-night beer party.
Preliminary investigations suggest the dispute arose from a suspected illicit relationship, said police, adding that the three accused have been detained.
Police received information on Saturday morning that the body of Sonu (40), a resident of Dola village, was lying in the forest near Meetli village.
There were visible signs of severe head injuries on his body, and bottles of liquor and beer were also recovered from the crime scene, leading to the suspicion that a drinking party had taken place there before the incident, police said.
Superintendent of Police Suraj Kumar Rai said police registered a case based on the written complaint submitted by the family members.
Police sent the body for a postmortem.
According to the deceased's family members, two youngsters from the same village took him away at 8:00 pm on Friday, and he never returned home.
They said when they tried to contact him via phone, his mobile number was switched off.
The deceased worked as a street food vendor in the village and is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
