Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan Statue - Sculpture in Guruvayur - Thrissur, India

This Elephant statue has a huge legend behind it. This elephant calf was gifted to the TEMPLE by VALIYA RAJA OF NILAMBUR on 4th Jan 1922 as a fulfilment of a promise / vow made by the king to the God for saving his family from his enemies. It's said that it was captured from the NILAMBUR FOREST. Kesavan is said to be so devout to GURUVAYURAPPAN that it would come FIRST in the ANNUAL ELEPHANT RACE (AANAYOTTAM) to decide on the elephant to carry the IDOL during the processions. A famous race is from the 1930's when Kesavan defeated AKHORI GOVINDAN In 1973 the DEWASOM BOARD gave it the title - GAJARAJAN - KING OF ELEPHANTS. The legend although is that that as Keshavan started getting old, it lost the race - came 2nd. So when the ELEPHANT was recommended to take rest in the temple's grounds and another elephant was not ur into service, KESAVAN would come to the temple like before. Next time Keshavan was taken 5 km away, but still he broke the chains and presented himself in front of the temple to provide his services. That's when they did a PRASHNAM and it came out the at until KESHAVAN is alive, he should serve. They did a PRASHNAM in SRI PADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE of THIRUVANANDAPURAM for opening the closed vaults. During the Guruvayur Ekadasi of 1976, Keshavan fell ill and was about to tremble during the deity procession. He was immediately taken to the stable where he fasted for the night and died few days later on 2 December 1976. He fasted for the entire day and dropped down facing the direction of the temple with his trunk raised as a mark of prostration

Gajarajan Guruvayoor Keshavan is perhaps the most famous and celebrated temple elephant in Kerala, India. Keshavan was donated to the Guruvayur temple by the Royal Family of Nilambur on 4 January 1922. Standing over 3.28 meters tall, he was one of the tallest elephants that lived in Kerala and was known for his devout behavior. As Keshavan's name and fame increased, the Devaswom board gave him the unique title Gajarajan (King of elephants) in 1973. Keshavan died on 2 December 1976, which happened to be Guruvayur Ekadasi, considered a very auspicious day. After Keshavan's death, the Guruvayur Devaswom Board erected a statue there in Gajarajan's memory. The anniversary of his death is still mourned in Guruvayur. Many elephants line up before the statue and the chief elephant garlands it. After his death, Guruvayur Padmanabhan became the successor of Guruvayur Keshavan.

GURUVAYUR KESAVAN ELEPHANT STATUE WAS BUILT IN 1976 IN FRONT OF SREEVALSOM GUEST HOUSE IN THE SOUTH EAST SIDE OF GURUVAYOOR TEMPLE. THIS ELEPHANT CALF WAS GIVEN TO THE TEMPLE BY KING OF NILAMPUR KOVILAKAM IN 1916. STANDING A MAMMOTH 3.4 M TALL WITH 20 NAILS, KESAVAN CARRIED GURAYOORAPPAN IDOL IN FESTIVALS AND PROCESSIONS UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1976....

Guruvayur keshavan is a great elephant in the history and this statue is for remembering keshavan

A history lies here. Tribute to Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan and Keshavan's status is here near maraprabu.

Nice one whixh explain the importance of guruvayoor keshavan

Great memorial for a famous elephant

So many sculptures to see..