Species | Elephas maximus (Asian Elephant) |
---|---|
Sex | Male |
Born | c. 1962 Nilambur, Kerala |
Died | July 26, 2020 | (aged 57–58)
Nation from | India |
Known for | Thrissur Pooram, Poorams |
Owner | Kongad Thirumandamkunnu temple |
Height | 3.09 m (10 ft 2 in) |
Named after | chinnakuttan nair ( kuttishankaran nair) |
Gajarajan Kongad Kuttisankaran (c. 1962 — 26 July 2020) was an elephant that lived in Kongad, Palakkad, Kerala.[1][2] He is one among the few native elephants born in Kerala to have a height of more than 309 cm.[3]
Kuttisankaran was born at the Nilambur Forest.[4] After leaving the forest at a very young age, he was offered to the Kongad Thirumandhamkunnu temple in 1969.[5] He has won the titles of Adyan Thampuran, Ibhakula Chakravarti and Gajarajan.[6] Kuttisankaran was one of the most famous elephants in the folklore of Kerala.[7][8] According to experts from Madangasastram, he was characterized by 18 claws, a protruding trunk, a long tail and beautiful eyes. [9]
Kuttisankaran was a regular at festivals including Thrissur Pooram, Nemmara Vela, Puthussery Vedi and Mannarkkad Pooram.[10] Kuttisankaran last participated in the Mannarkkad Pooram after which he went to treatment for age related problems and months later, he died on 26 July 2020.[11][12]