Erattupetta Ayyappan, Kerala’s beloved temple tusker, dies at 55 after 50 years of festival glory

Erattupetta Ayyappan, Kerala’s Beloved Temple Tusker, Dies at 55 (Image: X)

Crowds once gathered to watch his majestic return from festivals. On Tuesday, Kerala’s celebrated tusker Erattupetta Ayyappan died while undergoing treatment, leaving behind decades of memories for devotees and elephant lovers.

How did the tusker’s journey begin?
Ayyappan’s story began as a young elephant named Aaram, brought to the Vellookunnel House in Paravanparambil after the final Kodanad sanctuary auction. Joseph Thomas and his wife Eethamma bought him on 20 December 1977, when he was nearly seven. Soon, he was rechristened Erattupetta Ayyappan, a name that would later echo across Kerala’s temple grounds.

What made Ayyappan special to people?
The tusker became a regular at temple festivals and processions, known for his royal presence. Locals thronged Erattupetta each year to catch a glimpse of him returning from the season. He also carried numerous honours, including titles like Gajaraja, Gajothaman, Kalabhakesari, and Travancore Gajasreshtha, conferred by organisations and elephant enthusiasts.

What were the circumstances of his death?
Ayyappan had been under treatment for several months due to health complications. He died on Tuesday morning at the age of 55, according to the Kerala Elephant Owners Federation. The forest department will conduct a post-mortem and remove his tusks before the body is handed over to the family for last rites.

For many, Ayyappan was more than a temple elephant. He was a symbol of tradition, pride, and a living bond between people and their festivals, remembered fondly as one of the last tuskers to emerge from Kodanad’s auction.

(Inputs from PTI)