Kerala's dangerous celebrity 'killer' tusker to be paraded in temple fests
- IndiaGlitz, [Friday,February 12 2021]
Kerala's banned celebrity tusker Thechikottu Ramachandran has been granted permission to be paraded in festivals (poorams) but under strict conditions. Owned by the Thechikottukavu Devaswom, the 320 cm tall tusker almost entirely blind, was banned from being paraded over six times by the Kerala High Court.
Ramachandran had killed 13 people and three elephants and was banned from parading. The last time Ramachandran was paraded was in Guruvayoor in 2019, at a temple in Kottappadi. Hearing the sound of fireworks go off, the blind elephant got scared and ran and ended up stamping two people to death. Following this, the elephant was once again banned from being paraded in March 2019. The ban also noted that the elephant has health problems and it was not fit to be taken for public functions including temple festivals. However, the tusker commanded a huge fan following for its majestic looks.
The decision to lift the ban now was taken on the basis of the recommendation of the Thrissur district-level monitoring committee constituted under the Kerala Captive Elephants Rules, 2012.
The conditions issued by the district administrations include having four mahouts next to the elephant at all times. and no person other than them to be allowed within 5 metres of the animal. Also, an elephant squad should be ready at all times. The 55-year-old tusker will be paraded twice a week in Thrissur and Palakkad for temple festivals. The complete responsibility of the security during ‘Ezhunellippu’ ceremony will have to be taken by the Thechikkottukavu devaswom, the owner of the elephant.