Trichur: Kerala's love for elephants is well known and the tamed mammoth animal occupies a pride of place in society and is a status symbol. Their presence or parades are sought during temple functions and significant social events. Temple tuskers like the late Guruvayur Kesavan has a legendary status in the state.

The recent move to ban tusker Thechikottukavu Ramachandran from public events, including the renowned Thrissur Pooram, angered many and finally the government sensing the unease in a few quarters allowed the tusker to participate in a function of the Pooram.

As the spotlight is on Ramachandran, which is owned by the Thechikottukavu Devaswom, know up close this much-loved elephant. It is deemed to be the tallest living domestic elephant in Kerala.

• Imposing presence; It has a broad cranium, long, round body, 18 perfect nails and a long trunk.

• Born in 1964 (tentative). Came to Bihar from Assam forests without a name. Became Moti Prasad. Called Ganeshan when he reached Thrissur. Thechikkottukavu Devaswom renamed it as it bought him from Venkidadri Raju Narayanaswami in 1984.

• Average festival fee: Rs 3,000 to 50,000, though appearnce fee is not charged for all festivals. It is said some committees pay up to Rs 2 lakh so as to outbid rivals. But that happens once in two years or so. • Ramachandran record fee stands at Rs 2.5 lakh for a event.

• The first fans association for a jumbo was formed in his name.

Ramachandran and Thrissur Pooram

Ramachandran is used for Kuttoor Neythalakkavu Bhagavati’s arrival on the eve of Thrissur Pooram. Carrying the Bhagavathy’s idol, Ramachandran opens the south gate of Vadakkunnathan Temple and declares Pooram openat the west gate. This is an offering which he is not paid for. Ramachandran’s Pooram debut was in 2014. Broad cranium and long trunk have made him popular.

Where is Thechikottukavu?

Thechikottukavu Temple is near Peramangalam, 14 km off Thrissur on the Thrissur-Kunnamkulam route. It is 1 km off Peramangalam junction.

Recent row

Recently, a standoff ensued after the elephant owners said they would not provide tuskers for Thrissur Pooram and other festivals until the ban imposed on Thechikottukavu Ramachandran was revoked. Though ministers and elephant owners conducted talks to resolve the issue, they awaited a Kerala High Court decision on a plea moved by the latter against the ban imposed by Thrissur district collector T V Anupama.

But the HC said it would not intervene in the ban.

However, on Saturday the Advocate General gave the nod, with riders, to the district collector to let Ramachandran participate in the famed Pooram. Advocate General C P Sudakara Prasad made it clear that Ramachandran could participate only for the heralding ceremony of the Pooram. The AG also instructed the collector to take the necessary steps to prevent any untoward incidents.

Ending four days of uncertainty, Ramachandran received the last green signal to participate in the Pooram after it cleared a fitness test late on Saturday.

Curbs were imposed on Ramachandran after it had run amok at Guruvayur after firecrackers were burst near it, leading to the death of two people.

Thrissur Pooram, a grand religious event, is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala's Thrissur town every year. This year it is on May 13 and 14.

(Inputs: Arun Ezhuthachan and Subin Mathew Thomas.)

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