Kerala temple elephant dies after lightning strike during storm
Pallatt Brahmadathan, a 65-year-old elephant known for appearing at temple festivals in Kerala, died after lightning struck him during a thunderstorm near Erattupetta in Kottayam. The elephant had been tethered near his owner’s home after recovering from a period of musth.
Pallatt Brahmadathan, a 65-year-old elephant familiar to devotees at temple festivals in Kerala, died after being struck by lightning during heavy rain near Erattupetta in Kottayam on Sunday evening. The incident occurred at about 5.30 p.m. as a thunderstorm passed through the area, according to The Hindu.
The elephant was tethered near the home of his owner, Rajesh Pallatt, at Melampara. Brahmadathan had been resting at the residence after a bout of musth. He was nearly 10 feet tall and had been brought to Kerala from Bihar.
The elephant was known among festival audiences and elephant enthusiasts. He was among the elephants that carried the idol of the main deity during the late-night Pooram procession of Paramekkavu Devaswom at Thrissur Pooram. Elephant lovers referred to him as Gaja Kausthubham Pallatt Brahmadathan.
The account described him as calm and gentle, making him a popular attraction at public religious events. People began arriving at the owner’s house after hearing of his death. They gathered to pay their respects and see the elephant for the last time.
The source material gives no further details about veterinary examinations, the circumstances of the lightning strike beyond the storm, or any official investigation. It reports that the death followed the lightning strike while Brahmadathan was tethered near the residence.
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