The elephant, Somanna, lost its way in narrow lanes after getting frightened by the crowd. The officials confirmed no spectators were injured. A silver howdah-bearing elephant panicked during a Dasara procession at Karnataka’s Shivamogga, running amok for over an hour and damaging multiple vehicles before veterinarians tranquilised it.
“Fortunately, no one was injured. Another Utsava Murthy has been taken to Banni Mantapa, and the Dasara festivities are continuing.
The reasons for the incident are being looked into,” Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti told ANI. The official called the incident “unexpected” and “accidental”.
The locals claimed that the situation occurred after Somanna replaced Sagar this year. Because the forest department relied on the elephant’s exceptional track record in rescue operations, every year, Sagar carries the Ambari, but this year Somanna was selected.
