Arjunan is not an elephant of Kerala origin, yet he has got the beauty of a 'Naadan' elephant. Arjunan was brought to Kerala from north India in the year 1991 for Kirangatu Namboothiri by Punnathoor Nandakumar Raja. At that time he was a well built elephant with almost 9 feet height. His short tail is a speciality.

He was sold to Attassery Hamsa by Kirangatu Namboothiri and thereafter he was known as Attassery Ramachandran.  Later on Manissery Haridas bought him and named him Manissery Arjunan. In the year 1999 Kuttankulangara Devaswom bought Arjunan from Haridas. After the 'Nadakkirutal' ceremony on 2000 January 9th he became Kuttankulangara Arjunan. 

Photo courtesy - Anish Krishnan

Arjunan is 306cms tall and is known for his ability to hold his head high during 'Ezhunnallippu'. He has been honoured by Kunnamkulam Cheruvarambatukavu Devaswom by giving the 'Gajashreshtan' titile. Most importantly he got the rare opportunity to hold the 'Tidambu' for both Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu in Thrissur Pooram. In the year 2002 when Thiruvambadi Chandrashekaran  was ill, he was chosen for that special position. Now in 2009 he once again got the chance to hold the 'Tidambu' during Thrissur Pooram and this time it was for Paramekkavu.