To whom the tribute is paying? Is he a freedom fighter? Musician? Martyr? Other than the keralites, all people will think what was the specialty of this elephant to which keralites are paying tributes? To understand the greatness of this elephant we have to be a true/pure human being. So leaving behind all the animal instincts hidden in ourselves (if any), let us have a close look at the divine qualities of this animal.
Guruvayur kesavan is regarded as the most prominent devotee elephant of Guruvayoor, the deity at Kerala. It was one of the majestic elephant which served the Lord with sincerity and uniqueness for all processions, festivals and ceremonies from 1916 to 1976, untill his death on the day of Guruvayur Ekadasi.In the year 1973 Kesavan was conferred the unique title "Gajarajan" (Elephant King), by the Guruvayoor Devaswom for his intelligence, good behaviour, love and devotion towards the Lord Guruvayoorappan. A life size staute of Keshavan with his own tusks was erected in front of the main temple entrance and every year during his death anniversay which falls on Guruvayur Ekadasi, all the elephants, line up in front of the statue for paying tribute and the chief elephant garlands the statue.
Gajaraja Guruvayur kesavan is quite an example of Bhakti (Devotion) always is holier than the Knowledge and associated ego. An elephant who served the lord with utmost devotion without ever chanting the slokas for 54 years, without anticipating anything without any wishes. The elephant, Guruvayur Keshavan still lives in the heart and mind of the Keralites through the narratives they get to hear from their older generations. These legends are the most common in the state of Kerala and told to the young children in order to create a sense of love and respect towards the true faith and their religion in their mind, from the young age.
My father use to say that who ever have seen him will never forget Kesavan and every keralite where ever they are, will have the photos or bamboo canvas of this gajaraja kesavan. When ever I visit guruvayur I will bow infront of his statue and ask to give his patience towards pure path of faith and devotion.
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