The Shivamogga Dasara procession was halted on Wednesday after Somanna, a 35-year-old tusker carrying the Chamundeshwari idol in a silver howdah, bolted amid large crowds and loud noises in Gandhi Bazaar. No one was injured, but vehicles were damaged, the ceremonial ambari was broken and six of the idol’s eight gold bangles went missing during the panic.
The procession began around 2.30pm after Shivamogga MLA SN Channabasappa offered floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Somanna became agitated as the procession moved through the crowded market area, triggering a rush among people and bringing the event to a halt.
Police and forest officials secured the area while veterinary officers Dr Anand and Dr Muruli Manohar administered a sedative to the elephant. Somanna entered an alley near the Kote Seetharamanjaneya Temple and was chained after about 30 minutes. He was eventually brought under control with the assistance of elephants Sagar and Bahadur.
The silver ambari slipped from Somanna and crashed to the ground during the incident. Of the eight gold bangles placed on the idol, six went missing in the melee and two were later recovered, according to the report. The extent of the damage to vehicles was not specified.
Somanna had been brought from the Sakrebailu elephant camp as a last-minute replacement after Sagar, the lead elephant, suffered a leg injury. Wednesday’s procession was Somanna’s first occasion carrying the howdah, adding an operational challenge to an event involving dense crowds, loud sound and a moving ceremonial route.
Shivamogga Superintendent of Police B Nikhil said the situation was under control and that the incident would be investigated. The response involved police, forest officials and veterinary personnel, reflecting the multiple agencies required to manage public safety during a procession involving trained elephants and large gatherings.
Forest minister Ramalinga Reddy directed officials to make 20 to 30 days of compulsory training mandatory for all elephants participating in next year’s procession. He said he had contacted district and forest officials and sought details on what triggered Somanna’s panic, whether adequate safety measures were in place, the risks to the public and the extent of the vehicle damage.
The incident occurred as Shivamogga’s nine-day Dasara festivities concluded with rituals including Banni Pooja. The second Utsav Moorthi safely reached Allama Bayalu, also known as Freedom Park, where thousands had gathered for the concluding ceremonies. The state-ordered review will determine the next safety and training measures for elephants used in future processions.
