Elephant collapses to death during Niram Kaitha Kotta temple festival

MALAPPURAM: An elephant brought to the Vallikunnu temple festival collapsed and died on Wednesday. The tusker named Balussery Gajendran, while being paraded at the Dharma Sastha. Niram Kaitha Kotta Temple suddenly collapsed and died. The incident occurred around 7 am this morning while the elephant was being prepared for the parade.

Gajendran was brought to the temple for the procession last night. The tusker is owned by a native of Balussery, Kozhikode. The cause of the elephant's death is not clear. The funeral will be held after the forest department completes the formalities. Gajendran was an active presence in many small and big festivals in Malappuram district, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts.