Elephants run amok during Thissur Pooram

Thrissur, Apr 27 (UNI) Panic prevailed for some time just before the start of main the 'Kudamattom' ceremony during the famous Thrissur Pooram festival this afternoon, as two elephants participating in the festivities ran amok.

However, the pachyderms did not cause any harm to the crowds milling near the Vadakumnathan temple to view the celebrations.

The elephants were chained and brought under control after some time.

While one tusker, identified as 'Rajashekharan' broke away from the procession and ran for some distance, the other, named 'Thiruvambadi Unnikrishnan' got provoked for some reason and charged at those around him. However, it did not harm anyone.

Thiruvambadi Unnikrishnan ran amok just as the 'Elanjithara-Melam' (percussion instrument performance) was coming to an end. The elephant suddenly charged and the 'mahout' sitting atop the pachyderm could not control it.

In fact, the 'mahout' escaped for his life by getting off the elephant and climbing a tree. While running around in an angry state, the elephant did not cause any harm to the people or vehicles parked nearby. It just charged at those trying to come close to it.

The media commentary box was very close to the scene of the incident but the elephant spared that also.

The festivities continued, with the main 'Kudamattom' (changing of ornamental parasols) being held after the incident.

A single judge of the Kerala High Court had in fact imposed some restrictions on the parading of the elephants during the Thrissur Pooram in view of the hot weather. The Thiruvambadi and the Paramekkavu Devaswom Boards appealed against the order and got a stay from a Division Bench.

The single Judge had directed the festival organisers to ensure that the elephants got adequate rest on the morning of the festival and also the previous evening.

UNI