'Almost Blind' Elephant Paraded In Kerala For Housewarming, Runs Amok At The Sound Of Crackers, Kills Two

It is unbelievable but true. Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, a tusker which has attained sort of a celebrity status in Kerala is totally blind in one eye and is gradually losing vision of its second eye. But it continues to be a 'star attraction' in temple festivals across Kerala.?

While parading caparisoned elephants at temple festivals are common, using jumbos for other events are rare.?

On Friday, Ramachandran was paraded as the star attraction at a housewarming, in Guruvayoor, where he was originally brought for the festival at Chombalakkumal temple at Kottappadi.

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But, it was taken to a nearby location where a housewarming was on. The house is owned by one of the members of the temple committee and he allegedly used his influence to bring the elephant to his home.

However, things didn't go as planned. The elephant ran amok into a huge crowd which had gathered there.

The elephant owned by Thechikottukavu Temple was reportedly spooked by the sound of bursting crackers nearby.

In the panic that followed, some ten people were injured by the elephant which was running wild.

Two people, identified as 66-year-old Babu and 60-year-old Murugan were crushed to death by the tusker.

A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections -- 304(A) (causing death by negligence), 337 (causing hurt by endangering the life or personal safety of others) and 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) against the mahout of the elephant.

Ramachandran, the tallest elephant in Kerala which charges anywhere between Rs 3.5 to 4 lakhs for one parade is a history-sheeter.

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The elephant which was gifted to the Thechikottukavu Temple in 1984 has killed six of its mahouts, and six others including four women till date.

Despite its history, Ramachandran remains one of the biggest attraction in temple festivals including the Thrissur Pooram, the biggest of its kind festival which sees dozens of elephants paraded.

In 2017, the Ernakulam District authorities had banned parading Ramachandran during temple festivals and exhibitions due to its blindness.?

As per the Kerala captive elephants (management and maintenance) rules, it is unlawful to parade blind elephants.