At ₹13.5 lakh, elephant Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran fetches record rate

Thrissur’s famous tusker Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran has once again set a new record, fetching an all-time high ₹13.5 lakh for a single festival appearance.

The Kongannur Desam Pooram Committee secured the majestic elephant for the Akkikkavu Pooram, scheduled for February 7, breaking last year’s record.

In 2024, Ramachandran was hired for ₹13,33,333 by the Chalisseri Padinjaremukku Pooram Committee, setting what was then a record fee for an elephant appearance. The new bid by Kongannur Desam has now surpassed that figure, reaffirming Ramachandran’s unmatched popularity among Pooram festival organisers.

The spirited bidding took place on Tuesday morning at the Thechikkottukavu temple office, where the Chemmannur Village Pooram Committee for Cheeramkulam Pooram also competed fiercely to book the elephant.

With the Akikavu Pooram coinciding closely with the Cheeramkulam Pooram, competition to hire Ramachandran, known for his majestic presence and towering height, was intense.