13 injured as elephant went out of control at religious event in Sri Lanka

13 Srilankans have gotten injured as the elephant went wild and out of control at a religious ceremony in Southern Sri Lanka. The religious ceremony was the Ruhunu Katargama Mahadevala procession.

It is an important religious and cultural festival annually held in Katargama, Uva Province, Sri Lanka. This procession is a vibrant and dynamic expression of the religious and cultural diversity of Sir Lanka. It attracts thousands of devotees and tourists each year.

Elephants play a significant and symbolic role in the Ruhunu Kataragama Mahadevala procession. Devotees use Elephants to carry sacred relics and statues of deities, particularly the statue of Skanda (Murugan).

*A wild elephant attacked 13 participants during ongoing procession*

This is because elephants are respectable animals in both Hinduism and Buddhism. They believe their inclusion in the procession signifies respect, strength, and wisdom, aligning with the spiritual themes of this ceremony.

Following this, devotees included elephants in the Ruhunu Katargama Mahadevala procession but did not know it would become an injury ceremony.

It happened on July 6, 2024 night when an outraged elephant injured 13 participants of this religious event. Law enforcement officials in Sri Lanka reported this incident on July 7, 2024. Since then, this event has gained widespread attraction, especially on social media.

A baby elephant that was traveling in the Esala Perahera of the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Temple has died.
Last night, 10 people were injured in Kataragama when a wild elephant attacked during the Ruhunu Kataragama procession. 🐘 #SriLanka #Kataragama #Perehara #LKA pic.twitter.com/baRTrgYoP1
— Sumalee Singhey (@SumaleeSinghey) July 7, 2024

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Devotees were moving along elephants in a procession ceremony when a wild elephant went out of control and injured 13 people. Initial media reports showed an injury rate of 10 people. Later, it raised to 3 more.

According to officials, the injured people received treatment in a local hospital. No one of them received critical injuries. Following this incident, police have instructed people not to make loud noises during processions to ensure elephants, remain calm and peaceful.

The enraged elephants who attacked procession participants might have been scared and overwhelmed him which resulted in injuries. The uncontrolled behavior of elephants in religious processions is common in Sri Lanka.