Devotees evacuated after elephant runs amok in Poornathrayesa temple, mahout injured

TRIPUNITHURA: An elephant, brought to the festival at Cochin Devaswom Board-controlled Sree Poornathrayesa temple, ran amok, causing panic. Tusker Chamapuzha Unnikrishnan, brought from Kottayam for the temple festival, ended up spreading fear in the region. The second mahout, who fell from the top of the elephant, was admitted to a private hospital. The elephant was tamed after one and a half hours of arduous work.

The incident took place at around 8 pm on Sunday. The elephant created panic while being walked through the gopura entrance for Athazha Seeveli in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The second mahout, who was sitting on the top of the giant, was brought down to the ground after repeated shaking of the body. The elephant continued to run around the temple premises and finally stopped near the stage. No one was allowed to come near it. The giant also destroyed the pipes in the temple premises. During this time, the devotees were safely evacuated, and the temple gates were closed.

The elephant squad members stationed at the Palluruthy Azhakiyakavu temple reached the Poornathrayeesha temple around 9.30 pm and tamed the elephant. The elephant was brought in as a replacement for the devaswom elephant Ravipuram Govindan, who is regularly paraded at the temple for the Seeveli. Govindan is now undergoing treatment following a musth.