Representational photo. Eating competition held as part of the Onam celebrations (Photo: Tongueticklers.com)

Palakkad, Kerala: The otherwise happy occasion of Onam, and the celebrations attached to it turned out to be a sad day for the Kandamuthan’s family.

An eating competition held as part of the Onam celebrations ended with the death of a 55-year-old contender for the title as an idli got stuck in his throat in a village near here.

According to police, Kandamuthan got suffocated as he downed idlis in quick succession on the Thiru Onam day on Monday.

Though he was rushed to a local hospital, he died soon.

The competition was organised by a village arts club.