States » SouthPosted at: Oct 4 2026 9:53PM


Popular elephant Pallattu Brahmadathan dies after lightning strike in Kerala

Kottayam, Oct 4 (UNI) Pallattu Brahmadathan, a popular captive elephant known for its participation in major temple festivals in Kerala, died after being struck by lightning at Melambara near Erattupetta in Kottayam district on Sunday evening.
The elephant, owned by Erattupetta native Rajesh Pallattu, was tethered in the premises of the owner's house when the lightning struck during heavy rain at around 1800 hours.
Brahmadathan suffered serious injuries in the lightning strike and died soon afterwards. A veterinary doctor who reached the spot confirmed the death, according to sources.
Around 45 years old and standing about 10 feet tall, Brahmadathan had been in Kerala for nearly 25 years and had become a familiar and much-admired presence at temple festivals across the State.
The elephant was particularly popular among festival enthusiasts and had participated in processions at several prominent temples. It was also a regular participant in the Thrissur Pooram and carried the sacred idol during the night Pooram of Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple.
Brahmadathan's death has caused grief among elephant lovers and those associated with Kerala's traditional temple festivals.
The elephant had earlier attracted attention for its close association with its longtime mahout Lakkoor Damodaran Nair. Following the mahout's death in 2021, Brahmadathan was taken to his house and paid its final respects by raising its trunk near the body.
UNI DS
Tags: #Popular elephant Pallattu Brahmadathan dies after lightning strike in Kerala
More News

Popular elephant Pallattu Brahmadathan dies after lightning strike in Kerala

04 Oct 2026 | 9:53 PM

Kottayam, Oct 4 (UNI) Pallattu Brahmadathan, a popular captive elephant known for its participation in major temple festivals in Kerala, died after being struck by lightning at Melambara near Erattupetta in Kottayam district on Sunday evening.

see more..

R Sreelekha withdraws resignation move as Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor

04 Oct 2026 | 9:45 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4 (UNI) Former Kerala DGP and BJP leader R Sreelekha has withdrawn her resignation move as Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor following intervention by the party leadership, ending the immediate uncertainty over her continuation in the civic body.

see more..

Kerala minister assures legal aid, protection to woman assaulted in Saudi Arabia

04 Oct 2026 | 9:19 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4 (UNI) Kerala Women and Child Development Minister Bindu Krishna has assured comprehensive legal assistance and protection to a woman who is undergoing treatment at the Kollam District Hospital after allegedly suffering brutal assault and physical abuse in Saudi Arabia.

see more..

Technopark invites tenders for two lakh sqft prefabricated IT building at Phase III

04 Oct 2026 | 9:15 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4 (UNI) Technopark has invited e-tenders from reputed developers for the design and construction of a prefabricated IT office building with an approximate total built-up area of two lakh square feet at its Phase III campus here.

see more..

CPI(M) should apologise for communal remarks against Malappuram: Kerala CM

04 Oct 2026 | 9:11 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4 (UNI) The CPI(M) should apologise to Kerala over its leader P. Nandakumar’s alleged communal remarks against the people of Malappuram, and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan and the party’s central leadership should clarify their stand, Chief Minister VD Sathesan said on Sunday.

see more..