The Tiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple, the second of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, witnessed an emotionally charged moment as the daughters of a slain mahout, who died in an elephant attack last year, offered prayers and food to the temple elephant on the occasion of their father’s first death anniversary.
On November 18 last year, the temple elephant had suddenly attacked the mahout Udayakumar and one of his relatives, killing both of them on the spot. The tragic incident had triggered widespread shock across the region.
As part of the first death anniversary observance held according to the star day, special homa pooja was performed by the family at the Parashurama Temple in Thiruvalla near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, a day earlier.
Later, the mahout’s daughters, Akshara Udayan (16) and Akalya Udayan (15), arrived at the Tiruchendur temple and visited the elephant shelter within the premises. In a deeply moving gesture, they offered sugarcane, banana, apple and jackfruit to the temple elephant.
The two sisters then fell at the elephant’s feet and received its blessings. The touching scene moved devotees and onlookers present at the temple.
