At the Kota Dussehra fair, an elephant carrying Lord Lakshminarayan's procession went out of control, causing a stampede. Due to rain, the country's largest effigy of Ravana also could not be completely burnt. No one was injured.
Kota: During the National Dussehra Fair in Kota, Rajasthan, an elephant in the procession of Lord Lakshminarayan suddenly went out of control. The mahout tried to bring the elephant under control, but it charged towards the crowd.
A sudden stampede broke out in the crowd. People started jumping over barricades to flee, some fell, and a nearby electric pole also toppled after being hit by the elephant. Fortunately, no one sustained serious injuries. This incident left the fair visitors breathless.
Lord Lakshminarayan's Procession and Cultural Tableaux
In Lord Lakshminarayan's procession, tableaux depicted the armies of Rama and Ravana engaged in battle. Demons rode on horses, while the monkey army fought them with maces in hand. Additionally, tableaux showcasing the annihilation of demons by Mother Kalika and her fierce form were also displayed. Sahariya and Bhil tribes enhanced the fair's grandeur with their cultural performances. Spectators on both sides enjoyed this vibrant event with cheers and enthusiasm.
Ravana Dahan Incomplete Due to Rain
The second major incident occurred during the Ravana Dahan (burning of Ravana's effigy). The country's largest effigy of Ravana, built at the Kota fair, was soaked due to rain. Consequently, the effigy of Ravana could not be completely burnt.
The gunpowder ignited inside Ravana, but Kumbhakarna's face and most of the effigy could not be burnt. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal returned early from the ground due to crowd safety concerns and rain. The rain also diminished the enjoyment of Ravana Dahan.
Administration Alert During Ravana Dahan
The elephant's stampede and the inconvenience during Ravana Dahan alerted both spectators and the administration. Officials stated that immediate safety measures were adopted to prevent any major accident when the elephant went out of control.
Considering the rain and the crowd, the administration immediately deployed additional security forces and evacuated spectators through safe routes. This incident highlights the need for improved safety and elephant handling at the fair.
