Temple elephant

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The image shows the decorated temple elephant at the Kamatchi temple Kanchipuram of Tamilnadu state.
Enlarge
The image shows the decorated temple elephant at the Kamatchi temple Kanchipuram of Tamilnadu state.


Temple elephants are a vital part of many temple ceremonies and festivals in India, particularly in South India. A large number of major temples own elephants. Others hire or get donated elephants during the festive seasons. It is estimated that India has an elephant population of about 18,000. Out of this about 550 or so are domesticated elephants that live in Kerala, the southern Indian state.

The largest elephant farm in India is located in Guruvayoor in Kerala. This farm attached to the main temple in Guruvayoor has about four dozen domesticated elephants.


[edit] Gallery on elephants

The elephant named Lakshmi blesses a devotee. (a smooch on the head!). The elephant belongs to the Virupaksha temple in Hampi, Karnataka.

The temple elephant carries the idol of the Lord of Virupaxa. The procession goes around to receive the offerings from the devotees. Location Hampi, Karnataka.

The colored umbrellas and peacock quill decorated fans used with caparisoned elephants.

A temple elephant getting bathed by the mahout .

A temple elephant (royal elephant) during the ceremony inside the Mysore palace temple premises. Location Mysore, Karnataka.

An elephant carrying Thidambu during Thrissur Pooram festival, Kerala, south India.

An elephant saluting Vadakkunathan during Thrissur pooram.

thumb|right|200px|Elephants standing during Thrissur pooram festival in Kerala state of south India.

[edit] See also

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../t/e/m/Temple_elephant.html"