Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Kerala Mourns Beloved Festival Tusker Pallattu Brahmadathan
Pallattu Brahmadathan was a famous elephant who took part in temple festivals in Kerala.
He died on October 4 after lightning struck the temporary shed where he was resting.
The shed was near his owner’s home in Melampara.
He was 54 years old, according to one report, and had recently finished a period called musth.
Brahmadathan was known for being calm and stood 10 feet 2 inches tall.
At festivals, he carried a sacred object called the Thidambu.
Years earlier, a video showed him visiting his late mahout, Kunnakkad Damodaran Nair.
Many people came to say goodbye to him on October 5.
Pallattu Brahmadathan died on October 4 after lightning struck while he rested in a temporary shed near his owner’s residence in Melampara, Kottayam district.
The 54-year-old male elephant had recently completed his musth period and had been resting for about a month.
Standing 10 feet 2 inches tall, he was known for his calm temperament and appearances at temple festivals across Kerala.
He carried the sacred Thidambu at festivals, including Paramekkavu temple’s participation in Thrissur Pooram.
Thousands or scores of admirers gathered on October 5 to pay tribute; reports also recall a widely shared video of him visiting his late mahout, Kunnakkad Damodaran Nair.
- Who
- Pallattu Brahmadathan, a celebrated male elephant in Kerala.
- What
- He died after being struck by lightning while resting in a temporary shed.
- When
- October 4; admirers gathered to pay tribute on October 5. One report describes him as 54 years old.
- Where
- Melampara, near Erattupetta in Kottayam district, Kerala.
- Why
- The reports say lightning struck him while he was resting.
Reported details
Differences between accounts
Age
Reported details
One report identifies Brahmadathan as 54 years old.
Differences between accounts
The other reports do not provide his age.
Tribute gathering
Reported details
One account describes scores of people gathering at the owner’s premises.
Differences between accounts
Another says thousands gathered in Melampara.
Recent festival appearance
Reported details
One report says he carried the Thidambu at Thrissur Pooram last year.
Differences between accounts
Another highlights his appearance at the 2015 night Pooram; the accounts do not establish whether these details refer to separate appearances.
- Date of death
- October 4
- Reported cause
- Struck by lightning while resting in a temporary shed
- Age
- 54 years, according to one report
- Height
- 10 feet 2 inches
- Resting period
- About one month after completing his musth period
- Festival role
- Carried the sacred Thidambu at temple festivals, including Thrissur Pooram
- Tributes
- Thousands or scores of people gathered on October 5, according to the reports
- Earlier widely shared video
- Showed him visiting his late mahout, Kunnakkad Damodaran Nair
