Thiruvambadi Sivasundar, fondly called by his fans as King of Beauty (Azhakinthe Thampuran), died here in the wee hours on Sunday.
The elephant had been undergoing treatment for impaction for the last 66 days. Failing to respond to the treatment, it breathed its last around 3 a.m.
The 46-year-old Thiruvambadi Sivasundar was an unavoidable presence of Thirssur Pooram for many years.
It had been carrying the idol of Thiruvambadi temple for the past 15 years for the Pooram.
The elephant also used to carry idol for most of the famous festivals in the State including Arattupuzha Pooram, Nenmara-Vallangi Vela, Uthralikavu Pooram and Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple festival.
Thousands of elephant lovers, including Ministers, paid homage to Sivasundar.
No elephant, after the legendary Guruvayur Kesavan, would have received such a grand farewell.
The elephant, who had a huge fan following, was tethered in a closed tent on the compound next to Thirvambadi Devaswom’s Koustubham auditorium for more than two months after it was affected by severe impaction.
Elephant lovers started pouring into the compound on Saturday after it collapsed as its condition got worse. The effort to make it stand using cranes also failed.
It was known as Pukkodan Sivan before it became Thiruvambadi Sivasundar.
It was conferred with Gaja Kesari Title at Gajaraja Sangamam held at Elangulam in 2007.
It also won Mathanga Kesari title in 2008.
“Sivasundar was favourite of elephant fans with its beauty and obedience. It cannot be replaced. It’s a huge loss to Devaswom and elephant fans,” said Prof. M. Madhavan Kutty, Thiruvambadi Devaswom Secretary.
The body of the elephant has been taken to Kodanad for cremation.
