Guruvayur Keshavan
Gajarajan Guruvayur Keshavan (c.1912—2 December 1976) 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 .
Guruvayur Keshavan's statue | |
| Species | Elephas maximus (Asian Elephant) |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | c. 1912 Kerala |
| Died | 2 December 1976 Guruvayur |
| Resting place | Nilambur, Kerala |
| Nation from | India |
| Known for | Thrissur Pooram, Thripunithura Valiya Utsavam, Aarattupuzha, Kizhoor Nenmara and other Poorams |
| Predecessor | Guruvayur Valiya Padmanabhan |
| Successor | Guruvayur Padmanabhan |
| Owner | Guruvayur Devaswom |
| Weight | 7 tons |
| Height | 3.28 m (10 ft 9 in) |
| Named after | Keshavan |
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. 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.