The Sampadak Express News Desk
The Dasara Jamboo Savari procession in Shivamogga was disrupted on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, after Somanna, the elephant carrying the ceremonial howdah with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, bolted and turned back along the route within minutes of the event beginning, according to reporting by The Hindu. Police said there were no casualties, though a few vehicles were damaged, and the procession was later ordered to continue without elephants.
Somanna, brought from the Sakrebailu elephant camp and assigned the howdah duty for the first time, had moved about 500 metres from the Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple on Kote Road when it suddenly turned and ran, with another elephant, Bahaddur, following, triggering panic among spectators. Caretakers and Shivamogga City Corporation staff ran after the animals to contain the situation. As Somanna veered toward a corner, the howdah slipped off its back, and the elephant struck a couple of cars and two-wheelers, the report said.
Officials said the caretakers eventually brought the elephants under control. By that time, the howdah had fallen and staff had removed the idol of Chamundeshwari from the spot.
Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil told reporters the festivities would proceed to Allama Prabhu Park as scheduled, but without elephants. “The elephant carrying the howdah ran backwards, creating chaos and tension. Another elephant also followed. A couple of vehicles were damaged. There were no casualties,” he said.
Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Prasanna Krishna Patagar told The Hindu the animal likely reacted to the size and noise of the crowd. He said Somanna was sedated after the incident and had calmed down. The elephants are expected to be taken back to the Sakrebailu camp on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
The Shivamogga City Corporation had brought three elephants—Sagar, Bahaddur and Somanna—for the procession. Sagar had borne the howdah for the past six years, but Somanna was chosen for the role on Wednesday morning. Patagar said rehearsals suggested Somanna was performing better, leading mahouts and caretakers to select him to carry the howdah.
Officials said Somanna, 36, had never taken part in the Shivamogga Dasara event before and, aside from rehearsals, had little exposure to a gathering of this scale. Last year, Sagar, Bahaddur and Balanna participated, with Somanna replacing Balanna this year.
The episode echoed a separate Dasara disruption in Shivamogga in 2023, when Nethravathi, one of the elephants slated for the procession, unexpectedly delivered a female calf hours before the event. At the time, the administration resolved not to involve elephants in the procession, a decision that drew criticism from animal lovers and wildlife activists.
Following Wednesday’s incident, police urged the public to join the procession as planned while authorities arranged for the elephants’ return to camp.
