India: an elephant breaks free from its chains and kills a man during a religious ceremony

©Ajin K S via Unsplash

In Kerala, southern India, a religious ceremony turned tragic when a captive elephant, tied up to take part in a Hindu ritual, managed to break its chains.

Used as a symbol of the deity Ganesh, the animal suddenly became agitated during the preparations for the event, breaking free and colliding with a nearby man. The impact was fatal: the victim died instantly, while others were injured.

Damage in the village

Once freed, the elephant ran through the area in panic, causing chaos. Parked vehicles, trees and structures in its path were damaged. Some witnesses described scenes of intense panic as the animal tried to escape from the temple grounds. Local authorities intervened with specialized teams in order to bring the situation under control, only managing to neutralize and capture the elephant after several hours of complex operations.

A religious symbol and an increasingly contested tradition

In Kerala, elephants play a central role in Hindu religious ceremonies. Associated with Ganesh, the deity of wisdom and prosperity, they are frequently used in processions and rituals. The practice in question is increasingly contested, as it involves the captivity of wild animals and their use in crowded and potentially dangerous environments.

In some communities, elephants are not only integrated into rituals, they are also a tourist attraction and a symbol of social prestige. However, this forced cohabitation with humans, particularly in urban or religious contexts, increases the risk of accidents. This is a system that needs to be rethought, with priority given to alternatives that do not involve animal exploitation, while enabling the faithful to continue to experience the ritual and spiritual dimension of the tradition in safe, respectful and sustainable ways.

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor : Julie Morgan - The Press Junction/Picture : Ajin K S via Unsplash)