26/02/2020
Gajarajaratnam Guruvayur Padmanabhan (84) died on Wednesday. For devotees all over Kerala,
Guruvayur Padmanabhan was a symbol of divine grace. His death marks an irreparable loss for all the devotees and elephant lovers.
He was undergoing treatment for the past one month due to age related problems. Guruvayoor Padmanabhan had the highest procession fee for any elephant in Kerala.
The fees touched up to Rs 2.25 lakhs. He is also the largest among the native elephants. Even though there are a lot of elephants with great height and presence, nobody can match Padmanabhan’s aura.
Padmanabhan was donated to Guruvayur temple on January 18, 1954. Since 1962, he has been carrying the replica of the deity.
The God among Elephants, the King of elephant world, Guruvayur Padmanabhan reigned to this position just after the death of the highly adorned elephant of Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, the Guruvayur Kesavan. Guruvayur Padmanabhan, nicknamed as ‘Pappan’ was brought to Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple on January 18, 1954 by Cherukunnath Namboodiri as a thanks giving to Guruvayurappan for having fulfilled the Namboodiri’s years long waiting for a child. The Guruvayur Devaswom board holds the elephant thereafter.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE ARRIVAL OF THE ‘GAJARATNAM’
The history of Guruvayur Padmanabhan relies on Nadayiruthal (Donation for temple). It is believed that he was taken to Guruvayur by Cherukunnath Namboodiri as a part of his offering to the presiding deity. It was said that he had no children till the Kunjhikkavu Namboodiri said about the solution for his plight. He was an ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan and famous for his ‘Purana Parayanam’. He advised Cherukunnath Namboodiri to offer an elephant to the temple which will clear all his lamentations over a child. Later Cherukunnath Namboodiri performed the Bhajjan and prayed to offer an elephant. Eventually, he was blessed with a child as he offered Padmanabhan to the temple by performing Nadayiruthal. Hence after the arrival of Padmanabhan, many other elephants were also brought to the Guruvayur temple.
BEING THE APPLE OF THE EYE OF LORD GURUVAYURAPPAN
Padmanabhan was offered to the temple on January 18th, 1954 and by the time he grew as the most important of all elephants in Kerala. He was given utmost importance during the significant procession of all Utsavam and he is privileged to carry the thidambu (idol) of Lord Guruvayurappan in ‘Ekadasi Vilakku’ and ‘Arattu Ezhunnallippu’ since 1962, along with all other Utsavams as well. The believers of Lord Guruvayurappan strongly believed that he has abundant blessings of Lord Guruvayurappan like the legend Guruvayur Kesavan. The ‘GajaRatnam ’is one among the famous awards he got from various temples and festivals.
THE ATTRACTIVE ELEPHANT FEATURES OF PADMANABHAN
‘GajaRatnam’- Guruvayur Padmanabhan is no ordinary with his tremendous features; the broad and projected Vayukumbham (forehead bump), large ears which makes the loud flapping sound during fanning, the evenly separated tusks without any scraps, long and thick trunk that touches ground even its head is held high, a fine tail with ample hair at the end which touches the ankle not the ground and the majestic look which is maintained each and every time he carries the ‘Thidambu’( the miniature of the presiding deity). Endowed with all auspicious signs of elephants explained in “Mathanga Leela”, the attractive features like long trunk touching the ground, well-carved shape and intelligence make him the pride of Guruvayur. He is famous for the calm and obedient nature that never made him attack anyone or run amok festivals.
AN ELEPHANT WITH POWER IN ALL PROMINENT FESTIVALS
This famous Guruvayur temple elephant was inevitable in the famous and largest pooram of all poorams –Thrissur Pooram. This GajaKesari was indebted to carry the thidambu of Thriuvambady Sri Krishna temple (one of the participants in Thrissur Pooram) by the late 90s. He holds the record of getting highest paid (Ekkam) with a 2, 22,222/- for the first time when participating in Nenmara-Vellangi Vela in 2004. Guruvayur Padmanabhan is hailed for his immense holiness and piety and was always chosen to carry thidambu for capturing the godliness. Even at his older age, that spirituality and godliness have never set apart from him. This elephant king of Sri Krishna temple Guruvayur has been carrying the sacred thidambu for the past 50 years.
GURUVAYUR-THE LAND OF GAJAKESARI’S
Guruvayur being the land of ‘GajaKesari’ (Elephant King) has the world’s largest collection of captive elephants, mainly the elephant King in every sense, with a power, a thrown, concrete canopy and VIP care. Similar to all other elephants devoted to the temple, Padmanabhan also enjoys a good life. The elephants which are contributed to temples enjoy their way of living except for strict celibacy. They will be given pet names and healthy food that amounts 32000 rupees daily by leading a majestic life throughout the temple festivals.
Guruvayur Padmanabhan never failed to fire enthusiasm among the elephant lovers with his elegant beauty and features. He has always been the centre of attraction in every festival he attended. He was awarded the “Gajachakravarthi Pattam” at the 10th state meet conducted by All Kerala Elephant Owners in 2009.
Guruvayur Padmanabhan: The temple elephant owned by Guruvayur Devaswom
Guruvayur Padmanabhan Alternate Name: Pappan
Guruvayur Padmanabhan Height: 2.97 m
