Death is the most agonising experience when it involves a loved one. William Shakespeare’s story of Hamlet is centered on an important topic that depicts a never-ending emotional conflict. Melancholic Hamlet comes into contact with various viewpoints on mortality and death. In this time of technological control over the main aspects of human life, there is a need to address all issues inherent to the relationships between life and death. Philosophers teach us there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
This is the first time I am writing a tribute to a departed tusker. This noble elephant was more than a tusker; Nadungamuwe Raja will always be venerated as an iconic tusker who was deeply associated with Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He was a captivating part of my childhood and adult life. When I got the message of his demise, I immediately called Ven. Sarananda Thera who has been associated with temple elephants for decades. He was deeply saddened and shared many memories of this gentle tusker during many peraheras.
To the present generation who wouldn’t know much about this magnificent tusker, Nadungamuwe Raja came to Sri Lanka, from India with his brother Navam Raja.
Dedicated care
Nadungamuwe Raja, the departed tusker was the main figure at the splendid Esala Perahera of the Sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa, for many years. I have had the blessed privilege of seeing him and befriending him over the years. His mahout Wilson is known affectionately as Kalu Ayya. He is the man who will miss Raja the most. He dedicated his entire life to care for this tusker. I am sharing some thoughts about my departed pachyderm friend from my last visit to see him. Having seen him many times I was always mesmerised by his regal appeal and calm disposition during his sacred duty to the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
I recollect some thoughts of his kind owner Dr. Harsha Dharmavijaya, an amiable gentleman who has known this tusker for decades. Nadungamuwa is the quiet village where the tusker resided. Dr. Dharmavijaya is an Ayurveda physician, just like his late father who was a famous physician. Raja was born in India in 1954 and belonged to a Maharaja (the 25th Maharaja of Mysore). The Maharaja had become seriously ill and a native physician monk from Ceylon travelled there to cure him. Once he recovered, the grateful Maharaja rewarded the monk of Nilammahara (from Piliyandala) with two baby elephants.
After a few years, the monk could not maintain the elephants and interestingly, Raja was sold to a timber mill in Horana where he had to engage in work – lifting and moving logs. Later he was purchased by the Dharmavijaya family.
Revered animal
Nadungamuwe Raja aged 69 years at the time of death belonged to a clan of Asian elephants known locally as Saddhantha Kula (Magnificent Tribe) and proudly displayed the characteristic hathpolaya – seven features that define this unique elephant caste. Even as a young elephant he was impressive, standing at ten-and-a-half feet, a giant in comparison to the others. His long tusks enriched his visual appeal. For decades he had been under the loving care of his mahout Wilson Koddithuwakku, a man of few words. Wilson wielded his control over this elephant that is revered as the prince of all temple elephants in Sri Lanka.
I recall Dr. Dharmavijaya saying, “As you can see Raja is a big tusker and he requires a special diet. We feed him with coconut palms, jackfruit, kitul palms and an assortment of fruits – pineapple, mango and bananas. He requires many kilograms of food a day. He likes his occasional treat of jaggery. He also consumes lots of water from our well. He is taken for a bath in the river by mahout Wilson. The elephant likes the walk to and from the river. Raja never liked travelling in a lorry. As all Sri Lankans know he walks almost 85 kilometres to Kandy to partake in the Esala Perahera. It takes him seven days, but he walks patiently. This is his annual routine. Each day he will stop at a temple on the way, where he is given a bath. People line the streets to greet him and offer him fruits.”
In 2005, the tusker was nominated to be the main bearer of the Sacred Karanduwa which holds the Sacred Relics of the Buddha. The elephant adapted to this role as the ‘central tusker’ since then. He was caparisoned in a special costume that took 180 knots to secure. He wore an embroidered hettaya (jacket) and honda wesma (trunk cover), gigiri walalu (anklets). Once the Karanduwa is placed on his back, the tusker became aware of his noble religious obligation and his being resonated with a different vibe.
As the colourful centuries-old procession moved along the Kandy Lake, Raja was always the center of attraction.
Hundreds of tourists came to see him in his moment of acclaimed religious splendour. Dr. Dharmavijaya has rendered a great service in caring for our nation’s beloved tusker. Nadungamuwe Raja had transcended religion and culture and was loved by all Sri Lankans. By his life and duty, this tusker embodied the teaching of the noble Buddha, showing humility amidst all his acclaim and grandeur. Farewell, my dear gentle giant. Sri Lanka mourns your demise. You will live in our hearts, always.
Dishpan Joseph