An elephant in India walked 15 miles so she could say the last goodbye to her rider and her best friend for 25 years at his funeral. The elephant, named Brahmadathan, made the two-hour journey with the rider’s son in a heartbreaking effort to pay her respects.
Kunnakkad Damodaran Nair, known as Omanchetan, rode and trained elephants for almost six decades but has a special bond with Brahmadathan.
A touching moment occurred when Brahmadathan arrived for the funeral was captured on camera. As Omanchetan’s corpse lay outside his house, the large elephant stood alongside the mourners before touching the body of its rider, or mahout, for a moment.
Mahout’s friends and family cry out with emotion as Brahmadathan tries to lift him by shaking his trunk.
Omanchetan, 74, died last week at his home in Kerala, South India. According to those who knew him, he and Brahmadathan would spend every day together and have a deep relationship.
“When Brahmadathan came to the funeral I couldn’t bear it. They loved each other like anything. His last wish was to see Brahmadathan,” said Omanchetan’s son, Rajesh
“Everyone was envious of their bond. My father had been a mahout and trainer for nearly six decades and partook in various festivals to pull crowds,” he added.
According to Daily Star, elephants are famed for visiting the remains of dead family members, stroking their bones, or at times rocking back and forth in what resembles a vigil.
Source: Daily Star