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Kerala Mourns Pallattu Brahmadathan: The Legendary Tusker Passes Away
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News18•05-10-2026, 19:41
Kerala Mourns Pallattu Brahmadathan: The Legendary Tusker Passes Away
- •Pallattu Brahmadathan, a beloved tusker famous for his calm temperament and elegant looks, died on October 4, World Animal Day.
- •The 10-foot-2-inch elephant tragically died after being struck by lightning while resting in a shed near Erattupetta in Kottayam district.
- •Brahmadathan gained viral fame five years ago when he paid a moving emotional farewell to his late mahout, Kunnakkad Damodaran Nair.
- •He was a prominent figure in major central Kerala temple festivals, notably carrying the sacred Thidambu during the Thrissur Pooram.
- •Originally a timber working elephant from Arunachal Pradesh, he spent 28 years in Kerala becoming one of the state's most celebrated tuskers.
Key Questions Answered
The renowned tusker Pallattu Brahmadathan died after being struck by lightning while resting in a temporary shed near his owner's residence at Melampara in Kerala's Kottayam district.
Standing at over 10 feet tall with a calm temperament, Brahmadathan was a prominent festival participant who carried the sacred deity Thidambu on his head, including at the Thrissur Pooram.
Brahmadathan originally spent his early years as a working timber elephant in the dense forests of Arunachal Pradesh before being brought to Kerala.
