Old video goes viral: Elephants clash, causing panic at Kerala’s Thrissur Pooram parade

Thrissur Pooram, one of the most magnificent festivals in Kerala, has enthralled audiences for nearly 200 years with its grand celebrations, which focus primarily on elephants. Every year, two groups of fifteen finely trained elephants compete in a majestic procession around the temple grounds, drawing spectators from across the state to witness the 36-hour spectacle, which often involves up to 100 captive elephants.

However, during the Arattupuzha Pooram festival in March, a shocking incident occurred when an elephant brought for the Arat rite at Mandarakadavu suddenly attacked another elephant. The incident, captured on video, shows the bejeweled elephant charging at its fellow, causing panic among the thousands of devotees gathered for the final ritual. The narrow lanes turned into scenes of chaos as people fled for safety.

Eight people, including a child, were reportedly injured during the parade. Authorities admitted that adequate safety measures had not been taken, including the absence of barriers between the elephants and the crowd, the lack of a public announcement system, the lack of breathalyzer tests for the mahouts, a shortage of volunteers and a lack of facilities to sedate the animals.

The video of the incident has recently gone viral on social media, racking up more than 600,000 views.

Many users commented in the comments section: “Sometimes elephants get angry and cause a lot of damage. They are bothered by crowds and noise, so they should not be taken to crowded places. This will be good for both elephants and humans.”

The incident has reignited debate over the need for stricter safety protocols during such festivals to ensure the well-being of both the public and the elephants involved.