Shivamogga Dasara Chaos: Elephant Somanna Runs Amok, Smashes Cars
Chaos erupted at Shivamogga's Dasara Jamboo Savari as elephant Somanna panicked, damaging vehicles before being tranquillised.
What began as a disciplined and grand celebration turned into a scene of absolute mayhem during the Shivamogga Dasara elephant chaos. Somanna, the elephant tasked with carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari to Banni Mantapa, suddenly panicked and ran wild for over an hour on Kote Road, leaving a trail of damaged vehicles and terrified onlookers in its wake.
A Disciplined Start Turns Into Disaster
The Jamboo Savari procession had initially proceeded without a hitch. Somanna was walking orderly, carrying the Ambari, with the elephant Sagar leading the way and Bahaddur providing support from the rear. Forest and police personnel were stationed along the route, holding ropes to ensure the procession stayed on track.
However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically near Jain Bhavan on Kote Road. According to eyewitnesses, a slight modification in the formation triggered the panic. The Forest Department reportedly pulled back the lead elephant, Sagar, allowing Somanna and the Ambari to move to the front. This change seemingly frightened Somanna, who reacted to the surrounding crowd by turning back toward the path he had already traversed.
The Rampage on Kote Road
In a state of panic, Somanna attempted to return to the place where he is typically tethered. In the confusion, the massive animal lost its way and veered into narrow lanes. The situation escalated near the Post Office cross, where Somanna became increasingly aggressive.
The elephant began attempting to topple the Ambari and rammed it into a parked car, causing significant damage. In a terrifying display of strength, the elephant even tried to lift the vehicle while still carrying the Ambari. The rampage continued as Somanna entered another lane, damaging a second car.
Emergency Intervention and Recovery
With the situation spiraling out of control, department veterinarians were forced to intervene. A tranquillising dart was administered, which eventually silenced the elephant's trumpeting and brought him to a standstill.
Once Somanna was subdued, Bahaddur was used to corner him near Vasavi School road. Mahouts and forest staff acted quickly to remove the Utsava Murthy and the Ambari. Somanna was then chained and transported to a designated elephant tent at the district centre premises, where he eventually calmed down. During the struggle to pacify the animal, the mahout sustained injuries.
The Controversy Over the Last-Minute Switch
The incident has sparked a debate regarding the decision-making process of the Forest Department. According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Sagar was originally slated to carry the Ambari this year. However, the decision was changed at the last moment to Somanna, based on his exceptional record in elephant rescue operations.
While many locals allege that replacing Sagar with Somanna and shifting Sagar to the back was a primary factor in the animal's panic, officials have denied this. The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) stated that Somanna simply got scared and tried to find his way back to his tethering spot, asserting that the last-minute changes were not the cause.
Official Response
Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti described the event as an "unexpected and accidental incident." He noted that despite the property damage, no members of the public were injured.
"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," said the Deputy Commissioner.
Interestingly, while Somanna was in a state of panic, the elephant Sagar remained remarkably calm, continuing to walk through the crowd without incident.