Shivamogga, Oct. 21 -- Shivamogga's Dasara Jamboo Savari ended in chaos after Somanna, the elephant carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari to Banni Mantapa, panicked and ran amok for over an hour on Kote Road.

The procession had started in a disciplined manner. Somanna, carrying the Ambari, was walking in an orderly fashion till Jain Bhavan on Kote Road, with Sagar elephant escorting it in the front and Bahaddur providing support from behind. Forest and police staff were holding ropes along the route.

As per SOP, Sagar elephant was supposed to carry the Ambari this year too. However, at the last moment, the decision was changed, and Somanna was chosen. The Forest Department had relied on Somanna's exceptional track record in elepha...