Meenakshi temple elephant dies

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, JUNE 18. The she-elephant of the Meenakshi Sundereshwarar temple, which served the temple for more than five decades, died on Sunday night after a prolonged illness.

The 70-year-old pachyderm, Meenakshi, was down with fever yesterday evening. The temple administration brought veterinary doctors to revive her. But despite their efforts, she failed to respond to the treatment. Old age and its associated symptoms of illness were said to be the main reason for the death.

The body was taken to the Devasthanam's garden at Koodal Senkulam, a city suburb, where she was buried. `Kala poojas' were cancelled until her mortal remains were removed from the temple premises. The `archakas' also paid respects to her.

Meenakshi had been the royal elephant for Goddess Meenakshi. The passive animal had been a house-hold name for those who are the regular visitors to the temple.

Named the `big elephant,' she was the cynosure of all eyes with her stately gait and massive appearance. A caprisoned Meenakshi used to lead all important processions in the city during festivals and other important events listed in the annual calendar of the temple.

The devotees had the practice of receiving the blessings from her before entering into the temple. The soft touch of her trunk on one's forehead had been a thrilling experience for the wide-eyed bunch of tiny-tots, who used to throng her whenever they came to the temple. For those who had the practice of visiting the temple daily, the death of Meenakshi was a personal loss. They used to feed her with the choicest fruits and shell-less coconut.

She, virtually, had become an integral part of the temple. After the main poojas, the offerings to Gods and Goddesses would be given to her.

According to Mr. Ramaraj, the Joint Commissioner of HR and CE, the elephant, as per the available records, was brought to the temple in 1947. ``The records are silent on her origin, exact age and the donor.'' The temple has two more elephants- Angayarkanni (35) and Parvathi (4).

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Section  : Southern States
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