In my recent visit to Guruvayur, after darshan at the Temple, was happy to visit this place in West Nada ~ memory of that majestic tusker ! – Guruvayur Kesavan.
Elephants have
always attracted me.For ages, temple
elephants have been a vital part of temple ceremonies and festivals especially
in South India. In Kerala, they have a pride of place – as evidenced by the
Pooram festivals or the Punnathur kotta, the place for temple elephants at
Guruvayoor. Elephants have been the central theme of many films : Yanai Pagan,
Yanai valartha Vanampadi, Nalla Neram, Ram Lakshman, Annai Oru Alayam, Kumki;
more beautifully portrayed in some Malayalam movies like -Aanachandam, Gajaraja Manthramand the ultimateGuruvayur Kesavan …
the love of the film industry dates back to 1937 movie ‘Elephant boy’ made at the London Films studios at Denham, and
in Mysore.
Today, August
12 is World Elephant Day.In 2012, it was launched to bring attention to the urgent
plight of Asian and African elephants. The elephant is loved, revered and
respected by people and cultures around the world, yet we balance on the brink
of seeing the last of this magnificent creature. Ironically, it is from humans
that pachyderms face the gravest threat as they jostle with us for space and
resources. This is no post on how they are killed in other parts of the World
for ivory and in some cases killed in ‘game hunting !’
In India, Kerala,
Karnataka and Assam have huge elephant
populace.Strangely read elsewhere that
there is a big illusion in Assam where people, in general, believe that the
elephant population is increasing because of which these conflicts take place.
But that is not true. If we observe the data the forest space has continuously shrunk thus
giving the illusion that there are more elephants. "
This
post is on a positive note – how much people love elephants and how much one
special elephant has impacted us all ~ it was no ordinary elephant though – the
mighty devout Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan.
The mighty yet most gentle pachyderm served the lord of Guruvayur in all
its sincerity and uniqueness.
Valiya Raja of
Nilambur once prayed to the Lord to save his family and property from the enemies
attack. He promised to offer one of his many elephants if his wish is
fulfilled. His wish was fulfilled and he offered an elephant which later became
the famous Guruvayur Kesavan.On his
arrival, Kesavan was 10 years old and elephant Padmanabhan was the undisputed
king. Young Kesavan acquired all the kingly gestures and nobleness of
Padmanabhan and even excelled him. He would bend his front-legs only before
those who holds Lord's Thidambu to enable them to climb upon him, all others
were to climb by his behind-legs. He never caused any bodily harm to anyone.
In 1973,
first time in history, the Golden Jubilee of the services of an elephant to the
temple was celebrated. Kesavan was conferred upon the honor of "Gajarajan"
(king of elephants ).A film titled
‘guruvayur Kesavan’ and later a TV serial were taken on him.On famous Ekadasi day, 2nd December 1976,
Kesavan fell ill while Thidambu was placed on his head. He couldn't hold on his
legs. The Thidambu was soon transferred to another elephant and Kesavan was
brought to the Kovilakam compound. He died in front of the Lord with his trunk
stretched in front. He was 72, 3.2 metres tall, and participated in every
ceremony at the temple. Kerala's biggest and grandest elephant, Gajarajan
Kesavan, served the Lord and people for the long 54 years.
He was such a
darling to all devotees of Guruvayur and those who have seen him will never forget Kesavan. To
commemorate him, a 12 feet high statue stands erected in front of Sreevalsam rest house, in
West Nada near Guruvayur temple.This
memorial attracts peoplein front of the Panchajanyam Rest House – a
fitting memorial indeed for a unique devotee.When pilgrims arrive at Guruvayur, they are reminded of Keshavan by his
tusks and portrait displayed above the main entrance to the Deity chamber. And
throughout the city many shops sell colorful paintings of Keshavan.
Celebrate ‘World
Elephant Day’ ~ remember devout Guruvayur Kesavan, tusker.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
12th Aug
2019.
