Ahmedabad: A wave of terror ripped through the 148th grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannathji in Ahmedabad on Friday morning as three elephants, part of the auspicious procession, suddenly broke free and ran helter-skelter through the Khadia area. The unexpected stampede sent thousands of devotees scrambling for safety, momentarily turning a celebration of faith into a scene of sheer panic.
Eyewitnesses described a chilling moment when the massive animals veered off course on the Rath Yatra route. "One minute we were cheering, the next there were elephants charging," recounted Ramesh Bhai, a devotee who has attended the yatra for decades. "Everyone just started running. My heart was in my mouth. We thought, 'Is this the end?'" For several terrifying minutes, the Rath Yatra route became a chaotic sprint for survival, with police and volunteers desperately trying to manage the unfolding crisis and issuing immediate instructions to halt all whistle-blowing which could further agitate the animals.
The incident overshadowed an otherwise grand morning. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had earlier flagged off the yatra after performing the sacred Pahind ceremony, a first-time honor guard also bestowed upon the Lord. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with his family, had also participated in the Mangala Aarti at the Jamalpur Jagannath Temple, setting a devotional tone for the day.
The procession, a magnificent display of faith and culture, included 18 elephants, 101 trucks showcasing Indian heritage, 30 akhadas, 18 bhajan groups, and 3 band players. Thousands of saints and monks from across India, including Haridwar, Ayodhya, and Nashik, had joined the yatra, adding to the spiritual fervor.
Thankfully, quick action by the staff brought the situation under control. "It was terrifying, but the police and mahouts acted swiftly," said Meena Patel, another devotee, visibly shaken but relieved. "They managed to give the elephants an injection, and they calmed down. It's a miracle no one was seriously hurt."
