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Elephant race kicks off annual temple festival

     Guruvayur (Kerala): Wild cheering greets 39-year-old Kannan as he confidently took the winning steps towards the gate of the Sri Krishna (Guruvayur) Temple in Kerala. Despite his ageing persona, the two-ton elephant was the hot favourite to win the hugely-popular elephant race in the temple town of Guruvayur, a feat he has achieved a remarkable seven times in the past. Every year, out of its total strength of 62, nearly 50 elephants come for the kilometre-long race running through the thoroughfares of the tiny town and leading up to the revered temple. Lots are drawn and only a lucky few get the chance to participate in the coveted race. "Yesterday there were lots taken from elephant groups and seven elephants were selected to participate in the race. According to the rules, the first five elephants will be allowed to enter the temple. The elephant that comes and touches the door of the temple entry, is declared the winner. Today, Kannan touched the door. Another elephant was in the race but it went off in a tangent and ran off to another temple. The mahout lost control and it was not destined to get the prize. So Kannan was the lucky elephant today," said K.V. Nambiar, Chairman of the Guruvayur Devasthanam Managing Committee. As his winning prize, Kannan will stay inside the temple till the festival is over. He will also have the honour of carrying the main deity's idol during the festival.

    Traditionally, the race marks the beginning of a 10-day long temple festival dedicated to the residing deity, Hindu God Lord Krishna. A large number of tourists, many of who are foreigners, come to Guruvayur to watch the race annually. "This is the second time I have been to the elephant race in Guruvayur. I have written a book about elephants and I'm going to write one again. But it's a shame that so few elephants are going in the front," said Christine Johnson, a tourist from England. The race is traditionally held to honour an ancient legend when the temple town did not have a single elephant. It is believed that after elaborate prayers conducted by priests and locals, God answered their requests and an elephant came out of nowhere and stayed on. The race recalls this event and prayers are said for the well- being of the animals. The race and ensuing festivities attract tourists and devotees in thousands and this year, temple authorities have joined hands with the district police in stepping up security in and around the temple premises. The race was conducted amid an alert vigil by police in view of the recent blasts in a temple of Varanasi in which 15 people lost their lives. Elephants are deeply revered in India -- the elephant-headed God Ganesh is one of the most popular in the Hindu pantheon. Kerala borders the Arabian Sea and has set a compulsory retirement age of 65 for its hundreds of elephants used for colourful celebrations during Hindu festivals or to cart timber over its hilly terrain.
-Mar 11, 2006