Famed Sri Lanka Elephant, 81, Dies; Thousands Mourn
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Raja, a holy elephant who became a Sri Lankan national treasure, died of old age Saturday, and thousands came to mourn at the Buddhist temple where he worked.
The majestic animal died in the central town of Kandy, where for 50 years he had carried a golden casket containing relics of Buddha in an annual religious pageant. The pageant is part of the “Temple of the Tooth” festival, which takes place at a shrine housing what is reputed to be a tooth of Buddha.
Raja, at 81, was as old as the oldest verified age recorded for an elephant by the Guinness Book of World Records. He was so famous that the government declared him a “national treasure” three years ago and President Junius R. Jayewardene sent a team of veterinarians whenever he fell ill.
One resident of Kandy, 70 miles from Colombo, said by telephone: “His body has been covered with a gold braided elephant dress.”
“Please call him not only the holiest animal in the world but also the most lovable,” another resident said.
Raja recently retired and was not due to carry the relic casket at this year’s pageant.
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