In an incident similar to the recent one at the famous hill shrine of Sabarimala, an elephant ran amok during the 'Aarattu' procession at a temple here today, but none were injured, police said
The pachyderm ran amok during the 'Aarattu' procession of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, reportedly due to bursting of crackers during a festival.
There were no casualties, police said.
The priest seated astride the pachyderm jumped to safety, they said.
The tusker ran for about 2 km through lanes and by-lanes in the area. After nearly 30 minutes, it entered the backyard of a house,where personnel of the elephant squad brought it under control by using a tranquiliser, they added.
Two other elephants, also part of the procession, became restive. But they were brought under control by a mahout, they said.
The procession was carrying the idols from the temple for the ritualistic dip in the nearby Shangumugham Beach, when the incident took place, they said.
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The rally, marking the culmination of the 10-day Pangkuni festival, continued without the elephants.
On March 30, an elephant brought for a festival at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa temple ran amok, injuring at least 12 persons, including the mahout and a priest.
The pachyderm, carrying the 'Thidambu', a miniature version of the idol of Lord Ayyappa, ran amok when the ceremonial 'Arattu' procession of Lord Ayyappa was proceeding to Pamba river from Sannidhanam (temple complex).
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