Guruvayur Anayottam, Elephant Race
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Amal Dev 134 8
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Amal Dev 134 8
Guruvayur Temple, Guruvayur Devaswom, East Nada, Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala, India
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Schedule and Timing:
Guruvayur Anayottam is on the Pushya asterism in the Malayalam month of Kumbham. This is usually falls in the month of February.
Description:Guruvayoor Anayottam (elephant race) is a special ceremony which is on the starting date of the ten day Guruvayur utsavam at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. In 2018, the Guruvayur anayottam is on 27th of February. The selection of the elephant on which the 'Thidambu' of Lord Guruvayurappan is carried during the temple festival, takes place at the Anayottam festival. Elephant race, which starts from the premises of Manjulal on the east of the temple ends with seven rounds within the temple. The elephant that crosses the eastern gate of the temple first will be declared the winner.
The legend
At a time when there were no elephants at Guruvayur temple, elephants were brought from nearby temples for the temple festival. Once for some reason, elephants could not be brought in. Legends say that afternoon, elephants came running from the Thrikkanamathilakam temple to the Guruvayoor Temple. To commemorate this, Guruvayoor festival commences with an elephant race every year. Elephant race starts at 3pm in the afternoon, reminiscent of the elephant's arrival in the afternoon as per the legend.
Seeveli without elephant
As a reminiscence of the days when there were no elephants in the temple, seeveli on the opening day of the temple festival is done without an elephant. Morning seeveli is done with the Keezhsanthi carrying the 'thidambu' of the Guruvayurappan in his hands. Till the elephant race is over, it is so arranged that no elephant comes near the temple premises.
Getting ready
Elephants are selected from the flock in the Punnathur Fort that are fairly healthy and devoid of violent behaviour. Among them, five elephants that can run in the front line are chosen by lot. Participating elephants are bathed and taken to Manjulal by half-past two.
Ceremonies
As the temple bells rings at three, the elephant race rituals begin. Mahouts will rush with the decorations from the temple premises to manjulal. The race starts and the elephant entering the eastern gate first will be declared the winner. Only the first three will enter the temple complex.
Event id: 1262178464
Published on December 11th, 2018, 8:52 am
Ver.1 Dated February 21st, 2019, 6:17 pm
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