Gajarajan Gireeshan pictures

Gajarajan Gireeshan of Cochin Devaswom Board. Cochin Devaswom Board has 13 elephants.

Gireeshan is 50 years old. His majestic look attracts people. Shots from the west entrance of Sri Poornathrayeesha temple, Thripunithura.

Gireeshan, the elephant of Kochi Devaswom Board. Tethering place of the elephant is filled with Elephant dung left over vegetation from previous days. Unhygienic premises will be harmful to their health. Tethering place is known as 'Kettu thara'( കെട്ട്തറ) in malayalam. It must be cleaned on a daily basis. This will prevent foot infections of the elephant.

Secure sleep...

Elephant calf sleeping in the midst of the herd. They always provide security to their little ones... Views from Bannerghatta national Park, Bangalore. The park is famous for Lion and Tiger safari. We can watch the animals from their natural habitat.

Views from Bangalore. Shots by my friend Susan

Guruvayoor Valiya Keshavan

The tallest among the 64 elephants of Punnathoor Kotta(308cm). Nakeri vasudevan Nambuthiri offered him to Sri Guruvayurappa on 2002 May 9th. He is from Bihar. He is considered as the successor of Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan. Formerly he was Nakeri Ayyappan Kutty.

Some fast facts about elephants...

A scene from Pinnawallah elephant orphanage, Srilanka
http://www.elephantcountryweb.com/Realellies.html

The largest land animal

Second tallest land animal

Longest living mammal other than humans

They continue to grow throughout their lives

They are highly intelligent

Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan

Guruvayur Padmanabhan is the elephant of Sri Guruvayurappa. His divinity and his magnetic appeal makes him the god's own elephant . According to elephant craze people of Kerala he is one of the auspicious elephant with all the signs.He is from Nilambur forests. Erandathu Puthenveettil Achuthan nair and Madhavan nair, known as E P Brothers offered him to Sri Guruvayurappa. Then he was 14 years old. Now he is crossing his 70s.
In 2004 he got 'Gajaratnam' from Guruvayoor Devaswom Board. Now he is 'Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan'. Elephant lovers associations and temples honoured him several times. For festivals he is always considered as the 'Ezhunnellippana'. The elephant who carries the idol of chief diety is known as 'Ezhunnellippana'. Some of his peers have more 'Thalappokkam' than him then also he is considered as the leader because of his calm nature and he is also the successor of the legend Sri Guruvayoor Keshavan.
Guruvayoor Padmanabhan Pictures
Elephant facts

Thiruvanikkavu Jayaram Kannan got Gajarajapattom

The famous elephant of cine star Jayaram got Gajarajapattom from kodannoor Dharmashastha Kshethram. Kannan who is famous for his calm behaviour, acted in more than 33 films. Superstar Mammootty is also planning to act with him in an elephant oriented film.
A large crowd was present to witness the historical moment. Our beloved home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan presented Kannan with prestigious 'Gajarajpattom' award. Jayaram with his family was present in the meeting. K B Ganesh Kumar president of the Elephant owners association, Sathyan Anthikkad, Sreekumar Arookkutti and politicians were also present.
Jayaram Kannan is a nadan elephant. He is from 'Kodanad Aanakkalari'. After that he was with a circus troop. Jayaram bought him from Manissery Hari. Then he became Thiruvanikkavu Jayaram Kannan.

Related entries

Jayaram's New year celebration with his elephant