The prestigious elephant of the Thiruvambady Devaswom- THIRUVAMBADY CHANDRASEKHARAN - offered by the late Shri.Mannath Bhaskara Menon, became a memory on 15th May 2002, the auspicious day of Akshaya Thritheeya.

Chandrasekharan had the unique privilege to be the idol bearer of the Thiruvambady Pooram for 29 years. A lovable and loving, Kerala pachyderm, Chandrasekharan was loved and respected as GODS OWN ELEPHANT by the lovers of elephant and organisers of festivals. As we do in the case of our kith and kin, obsequies were performed by the representatives of the Devaswom and other enthusiasts at Thirunavaya, the first ever to be performed there in the case of an elephant. Forty one elephants were fed on the 17th day of death and a condolence meeting was held. The Devaswom has decided to observe Ist day of Edavam (May 15 or 16 usually) as the memorial day of Chandrasekharan. A grand feast to elephants and a memorial lecture on an elephant-related topic by a man of eminence are on the schedule of this day of remembrance.