Scores of devotees cheered as Kerala's beloved one-eyed elephant waded through the corridor of the famed Vadakkumnathan temple here on Sunday after it was given a conditional nod by the district authorities to participate in the Thrissur Pooram festival.Citing violent behaviour, the district authorities, in February this year, had imposed a stringent ban on the elephant, Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, after it trampled upon two people during an event. The tusker has reportedly killed 14 people in the last thirty years.The ban was, however, lifted on Saturday after Ramachandran cleared medical tests conducted by a team of veterinarians, following which the report was sent to the District Collector TV Anupama, who gave the final nod.Bearing idols of Neithilakkavilamma and colourful parasols atop it, the tusker symbolically pushed open the gates of the ancient temple.The crowd, which was made to stand several feet away from the elephant, cheered as the elephant entered the aisle of the ...
