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The story of Gajaraja Kesavan, the majestic elephant which served
Lord Guruvayurappan for many years still evokes much emotion
amongst the local folk of the town.
Kesavan belonged to the Valiya Raja of Nilambur Kovilakam. The
story goes that when attacked during the Mopillah Rebellion,
the Raja prayed to Lord Gurvayurappan to save his family and
property. Young Kesavan went missing from the Kovilakam after
one of the attacks. The oldest Thampuratty of the Kovilakam
prayed to the Lord that if Kesavan was found and safe, he would
be offered to Lord Guruvayoorappan. Shortly after this, a stranger
brought Kesavan back to the Kovilakam. Nobody knew this stranger
and he was never seen again. Kesavan was offered in service
of the Lord and came to be popularly called ‘Guruvayoor Kesavan’.
Kesavan was ten years old when he came to Guruvayur temple.
Another elephant called Padmanabhan was the undisputed king
at the time. Young Kesavan soon acquired the kingly and noble
qualities of Padmanabhan and even excelled him. He never ran
amok during a festival. He was sometimes called ‘Lunatic Kesavan’,
but even if he was under stress, he would return to stand at
the spot in the temple where he was chained.
In 1973, for first time in history, the temple celebrated the
Golden Jubilee of one of its elephants. Kesavan was conferred
the title ‘Gajarajan’ (King of Elephants).
However, on Ekadasi Day on December 2 1976, Kesavan collapsed
when the Thidambu (idol of the Lord) was placed on his head.
The Thidambu was transferred to another elephant. Kesavan was
brought to the Kovilakam compound where he died shortly afterwards.
Kerala’s biggest and grandest elephant, 3.2 metres tall, had
lived till the age of 72 and served the Lord and people for
54 years. A statue of this majestic pachyderm stands in front
of Sreevalsam Guest House in Guruvayur.
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