ALAPPUZHA: An elephant, belonging to the Travancore Devaswom Board, brought to a temple festival in Chengannur died on Friday. There were attempts to wake Vettikkattu Chandrasekharan, the said elephant, but to no avail.

The elephant was brought for the festival at Chengannur Mahadeva Temple in Alappuzha. At the same time, locals are alleging that Chandrasekharan, who has health problems, was brought to the festival without giving him rest. The Devaswom Board officials responded that the elephant was suffering from ailments due to old age.