{
  "id": 12261046,
  "title": "‘Gentle giant’, fixture of temple festivals: Kerala bids farewell to elephant Brahmadathan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/gentle-giant-fixture-of-temple-festivals-kerala-bids-farewell-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-elephant-pallatt-brahmadathan-dies-10908152/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For decades, Pallatt Brahmadathan had been a familiar sight in Kerala's temple festivals. Last year, the gentle giant carried the thidambu, or sacred replica of the presiding deity Paramekkavu Devi, during the Thrissur Pooram. On Monday, an outpouring of tributes gathered at the family compound of its owner, Pallatt Rajesh, in Erattupetta, Kottayam. The 54-year-old elephant met its end after being struck by lightning on Sunday evening. Flowers, wreaths, and sandalwood sticks adorned the carcass as grieving admirers stood in solemn contemplation. Rajesh, his family, and mahout Sarath mourned the loss near the elephant's body, awaiting its removal by crane for a post-mortem examination. Brahmadathan had been introduced to Kerala 28 years prior from Arunachal Pradesh. Initially owned by Pappalaparambil Pothen Varghese of Puthuppally, the tusker was renamed Puthuppally Brahmadathan. After 16 years, the Pallatt family, another esteemed lineage of traditional elephant owners in the city, took custody of the majestic creature. Since then, Brahmadathan has carried the family name, becoming an inseparable member of their household. Rajesh fondly remembered the elephant's calm demeanor and his family's deep bond with the gentle giant. \"My three brothers and I managed Brahmadathan. After the festival season, we would tether him at our house compound. Each time he was ready to leave for a festival procession, Brahmadathan would greet my aged mother. He had become a cherished family member,\" Rajesh shared. The elephant had garnered significant attention on social media, with many reels of its appearances being widely shared. Rajesh also recounted the elephant's respectful gestures towards his aged mother and his own father, Pandurangan Nair, affectionately called Omanachettan, the previous mahout. When Omanachettan passed away in 2021 after 25 years of service, Brahmadathan stood by his side, raising its trunk as a final farewell to the beloved mentor.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - India",
        "title": "‘Gentle giant’, fixture of temple festivals: Kerala bids farewell to elephant Brahmadathan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/gentle-giant-fixture-of-temple-festivals-kerala-bids-farewell-to-12263488",
        "published": "2026-10-06T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV - India News",
        "title": "Kerala Bids Emotional Farewell To Tusker Pallattu Brahmadathan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/kerala-bids-emotional-farewell-to-tusker-pallattu-brahmadathan",
        "published": "2026-10-06T01:31:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}