Beloved Temple Elephant Subbulakshmi Dies from Burns, Community Mourns

Subbulakshmi, a 54-year-old elephant at Sri Shanmuganathar Temple, died after sustaining burns from a fire. The local community paid tributes and mourned her death. Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

Subbulakshmi, a 54-year-old elephant housed at the renowned Sri Shanmuganathar Temple in Sivaganga district, succumbed to injuries sustained in a fire early Friday morning. The temple grounds were flooded with mourners paying their last respects to the beloved animal.

On the night of September 12, a blaze erupted near the thatched structure where Subbulakshmi resided. Fire and rescue teams managed to extinguish the flames, but not before the elephant incurred serious burns.

Despite intervention from Forest Department officials and a veterinarian from the Animal Husbandry Department, Subbulakshmi passed away on Friday morning. Tamil Nadu Minister for Cooperation KR Periakaruppan, Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar, and local residents attended the funeral to honor her memory.

Posters commemorating Subbulakshmi's life appeared around the locality, expressing grief over the loss. Subbulakshmi had been a cherished member of the temple community since 1971, gifted by a devotee.

Kundrakudi police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)