THRISSUR: Paramekkavu Devidasan (60), an elephant of Paramekkavu Devaswaom, died last night at 11.30 pm. The elephant was in the top 15 of Paramekkavu category of Thrissur Pooram for 21 years. Devidasan is a constant presence in most of the festivals in Kerala.
The elephant was donated to Paramekkavu in 2001 on the first day of the flag hoisting (kodiyettam) of Thrissur Pooram. On the first day itself, the elephant was included in the procession. Devidasan had the honor of carrying the thidambu after the Kodiyettam. He did he same in last Pooram also. He was not taken out for months due to his poor health.