Elephant Sparks Panic During Religious Procession in Southern India

An agitated elephant carrying a gilded shrine caused panic among bystanders during a religious procession in southern India.

The shrine, dedicated to a Hindu goddess, weighed 650 kilograms. The animal was carrying it as part of the procession when the disturbance occurred.

The event marked the anniversary of the slaying of Mahishasura, a demon in Hindu tradition. What had been a religious observance was thrown into chaos as the elephant frightened people nearby.

The available details did not specify the exact location or say whether anyone was injured. It was also unclear what had caused the elephant to become agitated.