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Temple Elephant Attack Claims Mahout's Life
8 Oct
Summary
- A mahout died after being attacked by a temple elephant.
- The incident occurred at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur.
- Police have registered a case and are investigating the attack.
A mahout critically injured in an elephant attack at the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur has died. Chandra Sekhar Reddy, 46, passed away at SVIMS Hospital late on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The attack occurred on October 4 near the Ratha Mandapam as Srinidhi, the temple elephant, was being led back to the goshala. The elephant knocked Reddy down and stepped on him, inflicting severe injuries. He was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the ICU, but doctors' efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Reddy had served as a mahout for the temple elephant for several years. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to his family and offered a job on compassionate grounds. Meanwhile, Tiruchanur police have registered a case following a complaint by Reddy's wife and have begun an investigation.
