SANNIDHANAM: A Tamil Nadu Salem native was died on Tuesday night at Sabarimala Kanana patha (forest route) after a wild elephant attacked him. The dead has been identified as Paramasivam (35) and the incident happened at the traditional path between Kariyalam thodu and Karimala.

The accident happened at the route usually taken by Ayyappa devotees who perform petta thullal at Erumeli and reach Sannidhanam via Karimala. On the occasion of Makavilakku festival, thousands of Ayyappa devotees pass through this route.

On Tuesday, elephant attack happened near the shop where they were resting. Seeing the elephant they ran towards another shop but bumped into the elephant.

Soon Ayyappa Seva Sangam workers and forest officials carried Paramasivam to Mukkuzhi. Though he was taken from there to Mundakkayam government hospital, his life could not be saved.

Seeing wild elephant at Kanapatha is a common thing during seasons but this is the first time in this season that a man dies due to the attack.