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Kerala's Famous Elephant Pallattu Brahmadathan Passes Away
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News18•05-10-2026, 20:07
Kerala's Famous Elephant Pallattu Brahmadathan Passes Away
- •Pallattu Brahmadathan, the famous elephant known for giving a touching final salute to his late mahout five years ago, has died at the age of 28.
- •The elephant passed away on October 4, 2026, in Melampara, Kottayam district, after being struck by lightning while resting in a temporary shed.
- •Standing over 10 feet tall with a calm demeanor, Brahmadathan was a prominent presence in major temple festivals across central Kerala, including the Thrissur Pooram.
- •Originally brought to Kerala from the timber forests of Arunachal Pradesh, he was later adopted by the Pallattu family and became a beloved figure among elephant enthusiasts.
- •Thousands of grieving animal lovers and local residents gathered in Melampara to pay their final respects and bid an emotional farewell.
Key Questions Answered
Pallattu Brahmadathan died on October 4, 2026, when he was struck by lightning while resting in a temporary shed near his owner's house in Melampara, Kottayam district.
He gained widespread fame about five years prior when a viral video captured him paying a final emotional salute by raising his trunk at the funeral of his late mahout, Kunnakkad Damodaran Nair.
Brahmadathan originally worked hauling timber in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh about 28 years ago before being brought to Kerala by brothers Pothan Varghese and Chacko.
