BALIGORADA, INDIA, August 10, 2002: Villagers here have decided to build a temple in honor of Laxmi, an elephant which died this week after suffering for about a fortnight. It turned out to be the last journey for Laxmi, the 45-year-old elephant which had come all the way from Varanasi to take part in Lord Jagannath’s Car Festival, covering the distance in 50 days. The elephant had led the procession, but on its way back, it trod on some glass pieces and sustained injuries. Laxmi collapsed at Baligorada, 20 kms from Puri. The local villagers came to her aid giving food and water. The state government sent a team of veterinary doctors and also brought in experts from neighboring states to treat the elephant but it was too late. Laxmi died on August 5. The animal was cremated in Baligorada village. Thousands from nearby villages had flocked to see the animal when it was sick. Funds are being collected from the people of nearby villages to build the memorial temple.
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