The elephant's mahout was seriously injured.
There were seven elephants taking part in the festivities. At least 1000 people had gathered at the temple complex when the pachyderms were brought and a tusker ran amok, police said.
One of the victims died en route to hospital, police said.
The injured have been admitted to various hospitals.
Seven women have been hospitalised at the Kolencherry Medical College Hospital, police said, adding, the dead included a 75-year-old woman.
Following the incident, the temple has been cleared and all festivities stopped, Saju Paul, local MLA, said.
