'Gajamuthassi' Thara, eldest elephant in Guruvayur elephant camp, dies at 70

THRISSUR: The eldest among the elephants of the Guruvayoor temple, Thara, has passed away. She passed away today at 4 pm at Guruvayoor's Punnathurkota. Thara was 70 years old as per Devaswom records. Five years ago, she was honored with 'Gajamuthassi' title. Thara, one of the few female elephants in Guruvayoor's elephant camp, was offered to the temple by Kamala Circus owner Damodaran on May 9, 1957. Thara, who was an elephant in the circus, was four years old at that time.

Thara has carried the 'Swarnakolam' (golden replica of deity) in the procession held during the Mandalam period. Lakshmikutty and Thara were the other female elephants at Anakota. Thara reached the elephant camp at the same time when the famous Guruvayur Keshavan was offered to the temple. For the past three years, Thara has been plagued by aging problems and was under the special care of the mahouts.