Elephants are a part of temple rituals in Kerala. Many temples keep elephants. Elephants are respected as the form of Ganesh, son of Mahadev. As of elephants, Rigveda mentions in Mandala 6. On special occasions, the elephants are worshipped and fed by devotees to please Ganesh for well-being. Most of them are donated by devotees. Guruvayoor temple has 57 elephants. Guruvayur temple currently has 47 elephants.
There are numerous festivals but one that stands out is the elephant festival of Kerala. The event is known as Pooram Gajamela or Festival of Elephants. The elephant processions gather the largest crowds with music, percussion, and classical dance performances accompanied by lots of frenzy. One can cherish the sight of elephants dressed up in gold and red silks. The Elephant Festival also celebrated in the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan.
Thrissur Pooram is one of Kerala's popular and grand festivals celebrated with much energy. It takes place during the calendar months late April or early May near Vadakkumnathan temple which is located in Thrissur. In the Malayalam month it is celebrated at Medam. There are nearly 30 elephants accompanied with 250 artistes beating rhythmic drums. This is a festival or celebration where a competition is organized called Kudamattom. It involves movement of decorated umbrellas in a step- by- step timely manner.
Arattupuzha Pooram; If you thought 30 elephants were so many, then take a look at this elephant festival organized near the oldest temple in Kerala, Arattupuzha Temple. With about 60 elephants participating in this Pooram held during the summer months of Late March or Early April this is another grand festival of Elephants celebrated in Kerala.
Peruvanam Pooram is one of the first and most ancient elephant festivals celebrated in the state. Kerala’s Cherpu in Thrissur district’s Peruvanam Temple sees a fabulous procession with drums beating constantly for about four hours. This is one of the oldest and is believed to be around 1,500 years old. It is followed by colorful and noisy fireworks in this festival that is celebrated in Late March or Early April.
Parippally Gajamela is held at two places. The one at Kodimoottil Bhagavathy Temple has around 50 pachyderms participating in the huge affair. The other one is held near Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple in Palakkad district’s Palappuram which has around 33 elephants participating in the cultural affair. Moreover there are cultural events held here. This includes puppet shows in shadows and horse and bull effigies and a traditional percussion. The festival is held during the month of March.
Pariyanampetta Pooram is one of Kerala’s lengthy festivals as it lasts for duration of one week/ 7 days. Held in the calendar month of February at the Palakkad district’s Kattukulam near Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple. This specific elephant festival is popular for the ritual known as Kalamezhuthu Pattu. In this ritual, there are images and drawings of goddesses on the ground. This is done using natural powder colors. There is singing and various traditional art forms. The last day sees the special elephant procession.
Uthralikkavu Pooram is the lengthiest elephant festival also held in the month of February. But this one is celebrated over a period eight days. The festival is organized close to a standalone temple called Rudhira Mahakali Kavu in Vadakkancherry, Thrissur. The eight day long festival is dedicated to Goddess Kali.
The highlight of this festival is its scenic setting with aligning paddy fields. This is one of the most celebrated and grand festival with elephant processions taking place in daytime and celebrations all through the night too. There are various traditional ensembles with music and percussion accompanied.
There are many villages celebrating, competing with each other for the most extravagant parade. When you come for a visit to Kerala you can enjoy elephant spotting in Munnar or Thekkady famous Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.
Elephants can make at least thirty different vocal sounds, including trumpets, squeals, growls, rumbles, and sounds too low-pitched for humans to hear. Elephants are not only trainable and intelligent but they are prehensile. Elephants really do have long memories.
Elephants are self-aware. Elephants practice altruism. That means that can deal with reality in useful ways and also exercise their curiosity. This has been proven scientifically through a number of recent studies. In Thailand, Elephants can be seen painting intricate pictures using a paintbrush held in their trunk.
Most famous elephant Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, the tallest tusker in Kerala and the second tallest one in India, has the most fans. Born in 1964, this 56-year-old Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, the king of elephants is a celebrity among all Malayalis around the world. One of the most popular elephants famed to bless devotees was Lakshmi in Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka. Place a 10 rupee note in her extended trunk, she will pass it to her mahout and bless you.
Since elephant in Kerala is also domesticated on a large scale, there are places where you can see elephant Kerala getting trained and taking baths. Kodanad is situated on the south bank of river Periyar, which is around 42 KM from Kochi, and the Elephant rescue centre for the central Kerala forest region is located in Kodanad. Mainstreaming the Mahouts by introducing informal curricular, parting best and most humane technique of manning the Elephants, as of now there is no mechanism to prevent psychos from becoming one.
Authored by Dr Anadi Sahoo
