Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Temple Elephant Seriously Injures Mahout During Evening Service in Tirupati
An elephant named Srinidhi was being led back to its shelter at a temple in Tiruchanoor.
This happened after an evening temple service on Sunday.
Temple officials said the elephant moved toward a devotee.
Its mahout, Chandra Sekhar, tried to stop it.
The elephant knocked him down and stepped on his chest.
He was badly hurt and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Another mahout calmed the elephant and led it back safely.
The incident made devotees and temple staff concerned about safety around elephants.
An elephant injured its mahout near Ratham Mandapam at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple on Sunday evening.
The incident happened after the evening Unjal Seva as Srinidhi was being led back to the goshala with another elephant, Avanija.
Temple officials said Srinidhi moved toward a devotee, and mahout Chandra Sekhar intervened.
The elephant pushed Chandra Sekhar down and stepped on his chest, leaving him seriously injured.
He received first aid at the temple and was taken to SVIMS hospital; another mahout calmed and returned Srinidhi to the goshala.
- Who
- Temple elephant Srinidhi and mahout Chandra Sekhar; another mahout later calmed the elephant.
- What
- Srinidhi attacked and seriously injured Chandra Sekhar.
- When
- Sunday evening, after the evening Unjal Seva.
- Where
- Near Ratham Mandapam at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple in Tiruchanoor, near Tirupati.
- Why
- The reason the elephant became aggressive is not stated; Chandra Sekhar intervened after it moved toward a devotee.
- Temple
- Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple
- Location
- Tiruchanoor, near Tirupati
- Elephant
- Srinidhi, which officials said had served the temple for nearly 20 years
- Other elephant
- Avanija was being led back with Srinidhi
- Injured mahout
- Chandra Sekhar
- Treatment
- First aid at the temple, followed by transfer to Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) hospital
- Incident location
- Near Ratham Mandapam