Elephant carrying ambari panics during Shivamogga Jambu Savari procession in Karnataka

A tense situation arose during the Shivamogga Jambu Savari festival in Karnataka when an elephant named Somanna, carrying a silver ambari with the deity Chamundeshwari, suddenly panicked and ran backward. The procession, which began near the Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple and was heading toward the Allama Prabhu ground, was disrupted as the elephant got frightened by loud drumbeats and the large crowd.

For the past six years, an elephant named Sagar had been carrying the ambari. However, due to a leg injury to Sagar, officials selected Somanna from the Sakrebyle elephant camp on the morning of October 21 for the event.

As Somanna panicked in the middle of the procession, frightened onlookers ran for safety. The silver ambari fell off the elephant's back and sustained damage, while several cars and bikes parked along the route were damaged. Following the disruption, the Jambu Savari procession was halted.

Forest department officials and veterinarians acted swiftly and brought the elephant under control by administering a tranquilizer. Authorities and devotees expressed relief as no injuries to people were reported in the incident.