In the realm of elephants, he once had two towering competitors. One lives on, while the other is a memory.
The living one roams the forests of Bardia National Park in western Nepal. With a shoulder height of 11 feet 3 inches, he holds the record as the largest wild Asiatic elephant ever documented.
The second, now a part of history, was known as Chengallur Ranganathan, an elephant whose preserved skeleton stands tall in the Thrissur Museum, Kerala. Captured from the Mysore forests and tamed by the Kurumba tribes, Ranganathan once served the Mysore king, carrying water to the Ranganatha Temple in the 1880s. In his later years, he was brought to Kerala under the care of the Avanaparambu family, where he became an essential figure in major temple festivals. He passed away in 1920, yet his legacy lives on in bone and memory.
From these two majestic beings, Ramachandran rises—undisputed and omnipotent—as the largest domesticated elephant in India.
Owned by the Thechikottukavu temple in Thrissur, Kerala, Thechikottukavu Ramachandran is a living legend. With a shoulder height of 11 feet, he commands the crowd wherever he goes. His participation in Kerala’s grand temple festivals is met with celebration and anticipation—his mere arrival is an event in itself.
With his towering frame, raised head and sloping back, twin-domed forehead, massive ears, and an aura of unmatched majesty, he embodies every traditional ideal of a perfect temple elephant. His presence is compared by some to legends like Dr. Fager or Mr. Prospector—not in the world of horses, but in grandeur and legacy.
Despite ongoing concerns and debates surrounding the treatment of captive elephants in South India, it’s impossible to overlook the deep-rooted cultural bond between the people and these majestic animals. Festivals, rituals, and celebrations here have been shaped for centuries with elephants at their heart.
At Soul India Nature Tours, we recognize this relationship not only as a cultural marvel but also as an opportunity—a way to raise awareness about wild elephants, habitat loss, and the urgent need for conservation. Our tours in Kerala, offer a chance to meet Ramachandran and witness the deep emotional and spiritual connection that binds him with the people.
He is not merely an elephant. He is the epicenter of culture, a symbol of tradition, and an unlikely ambassador for nature conservation.
We invite you to share this incredible story with others who may be inspired by South India’s unnoticed fascinations and hidden wonders. And of course, if it doesn’t resonate with you, feel free to leave it aside. But if it does — we welcome you to explore further.
Photo – Marshal.C.Radhakrishnan. Research & Narration – SINT.