| PARIPALLY
GAJAMELA |
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| Celebrated In
:
Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam |
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| Celebrated
During :
All the festivals |
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| Famous for :
Ritual Procession of 50
Elephants |
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| Held in :
February - March |
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| Paripally, 48 kms north of
Thiruvananthapuram is noted for its Gajamela or Elephant pageant. Over 50
elephants are taken out on a ritual procession on the tenth day of the festival
(February- March). |
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| No celebration in Kerala is complete without an
elephant pageant. The gentle giant has been revered like divinity and accorded
the privilege of escorting the numerous gods and goddesses of this land. Until
a few years ago many well-to-do families in Kerala owned an elephant which was
considered a member of the household.
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| Most festivals of Kerala feature
spectacular elephant processions. The pooram and vela festivals are the best
occasions to watch the majestic tuskers in all their caparisoned splendour.
Colourfully decked up elephants numbering fifteen to hundred or more line up on
the temple premises. With mahouts atop them, holding high tinselled silk
parasols (muthukuda) and swaying white tufts (venchamaram) and peacock feather
fans (aalavattom) to the rhythm of the temple orchestra. |
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| An elephant pageant is usually
accompained by the panchavadyam (the traditional five instrument musical
ensemble) which works up to a frenzy as the kudamattam ritual (the synchronised
changing of the parasols atop the tuskers ) gathers speed. |
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| Another unique practice at this
temple is that elephants are offered as Nercha (ritual offering to the deity
for prosperity) by the devotees. Cultural programmes are held during the
festival days. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakaali. |
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