The history, culture and custom of Kerala,
is closely related to an animal which is believed to be divine and
that is the Elephant. The legendary figures of this category includes
Guruvayoor Kesavan,Guruvayoor Padmanabhan, Kottarakkara Chandrasekharan
and a few many. We can very well accommodate Kottarakkara Krishnankutty
to that fold of The Great tuskers. The festivals around Kottarakkara
were deeply related to this tusker for the last 60 years. Recently,
at the age of 94, this godly elephant passed away. The life in and
around Kottarakkara, came to a standstill on hearing the sad news.
By putting up huge flux boards and posters of Krishnankutty the people
convened prayer meetings and remembrance gatherings. Devaswom board
and the locals are planning to set up a fitting memorial to this tusker
that has become a legend.
Kottarakkara Krishnankutty occupied the
central position during the annual temple festivals in and around
Kottarakkara, especially in the famous Ganapathy and Mahadeva temples.
BEFORE SIXTY YEARS FROM THEVAPPURAM
The Gajaratnam was bought by the authorities
of Kottarakkara Padinjattinkara Mahadeva temple, from Sankupillai
of Kaippallazhikathu in Thevappuram.
Sankupillai obtained the Komban from a Christian family.
Pillai hadthree more elephants in his folder. He was a famous timber
merchant of those days. The tuskers were used for heavy loading works
in the timber mill. Krishnankutty was never interested in the job
at the timber mill. On the other hand,He always showed great interest
in the ceremonial programmes in the temples, especially that of The
Moonnumoorthy temple near the Kaippallazhikathu house. So Pillai sold
Krishnankutty to the Kottarakkara devaswam. Thus even though He became
the native of Kottarakkara, He never failed to attend the festivals
of Moonnumoorthy.
One particular year, Krishnankutty was not feeling
physically fit for the Ezhunnallathu due to a wound in his leg.So
he took rest. During the festival day of the Thevalappuram temple,
the mahouts noticed that He was missing. All of them went around and
finally they traced the elephant which was on his way to Thevalappuram.
The mahouts accompanied Him to the Kaippallazhikathu house, from where
he got food as usual. After that Krishnankutty went to the temple.
He bowed before the Deity, and collected some oil from the kalvilakku
and applied that over the wound. The temple authorities then gave
the Thidambu to Krishnankutty. Thus He led the festival as usual.
Though, Krishnankutty was owned by the Padinjattinkara
Mahadeva temple, he is widely known as the obedient servant of Kottarakkara
Ganapathy. Every morning, He starts from the Padinjattinkara temple
to the Ganapathy temple. There, after completing the pradakshinam
He would get Unniyappams.
During the very famous festival of Maha Ganapathy,as
many as sixty elephants from in and around take part. But the Thidambu
would always be offered to Krishnankutty only. This is because of
his peculiarities in this regard. The elephants usually fold their
right leg in order to felicitate the Thidambettal. But Krishnankutty
always folded his forelegs such as bowing in front of the Deity. At
the time of Ezhunnallathu, Krishnankutty allowed none to come across
Him and the Paanivilakku, which was lit from the Sanctum Santorum.
Once, when the glory of Moonuumoorthy temple was on
the decline, a wonder occurred. On a festival day, as usual, the Thidambu
was on Krishnankutty. Suddenly one of the priests walked across the
Paanivilakku. This irritated Krishnankutty, He pulled down the priest
who was sitting on Him. Krishnankutty started running round the area
helter skelter, frightening everybody. But He did not try to harm
any person. He selected some of the lands of the persons who were
not taking adequate steps for the renovation of the temple and trampled
every thing on their land.
This incident necessitated the authorities and the
locals to assemble together and conduct a Devaprasnam. As per the
directions the renovation of the temple was done, thus regaining its
lost glory.With this incident the Thevalappuram people’s affection
and love towards Krishnankutty increased several folds.
Marking the conclusion of the festival
of Padinjattinkara Mahadeva, is the Aaraattezhunnallathu towards
Thrikkannamangalam temple. The Devan longs to meet the Kadalayi
Mana Devi there. But against His wish, the temple remains closed
due to Devi’s ‘Thrippoothu’ (a feminine menstrual
condition).The legend says that Mahadevan without having a glimpse
of Devi returns frustrated. For years it is Krishnankutty who hails
the thidambu for the ezhunellathu. Krishnankutty who appaers exhilarated
while walking towards the Devi, returns dejected. This dejection
on the part of Krishnankutty is viewed by the people as the sorrow
on the part of the Devan Himself.
Krishnankutty has all the characteristics that go into the making
of a perfect elephant - its high head, its strong tusks, its red
tinted soft edged ears, its well shaped nails, its tusks touching
the ground. But what sets it apart from all the other tuskers is
its devotion and care towards the affairs of the temple.In fact
in the history of the Travancore Devaswom Board there is no other
elephant that has offered its service for such a long period of
time. In spite of being a part in a lot of ezhunellathu’s
it has never ever harmed a human being.
On the day of Vinayaka Chathurthi, Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy Temple
used to offer Gajapuja to Krishnankutty. This speaks volumes of
the love and regards the people had towards Him.
The story of this gajarajan who left for His heavenly abode at
the age of 94 will remain so long as the history of the temples
of Kottarakkara remain.
Life-size statue of Gajamuthachan Kottarakara Krishnankutty
