An elephant rampaged through a Hindu temple in southern India today killing three people including one of its handlers.

Television footage shows the adult male elephant charging through the temple compound.

It knocks down a thatched awning, tries to batter its way through a steel gate and finally tramples a man, kicking the limp body several yards through the air.

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The elephant was being used during a ceremony for a festival in the southern Thrissur district.

It suddenly went wild, killing a man and a woman and finally a handler who was trying to bring it under control.

It was not clear what sparked the rampage, police officer Jay Prakash said.

The elephant was later brought under control.

The huge animals are routinely used in southern Indian temple ceremonies, often covered in elaborate decorations and paint.

Animal rights activists say the elephants are often kept in inhumane conditions.

Twelve months ago horrified onlookers at another ceremonial festival in southern India watched as an elephant killed its trainer.

The animal, which had just seen another elephant go wild, spun his trainer around on his tusk and injured more than 20 others.