Temple elephant 4180483 219680884 2008-06-16T11:39:22Z Kjrajesh 291162 [[Image:Temple Elephant at kanchi.jpg|thumb|right|250px| A decorated temple elephant at the [[Kamakshi Amman temple]], [[Kanchipuram]].]] [[Image:Thrippunithura-Elephant4 crop.jpg|right|thumb|An elephant named ''Sri Hari'' during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival, [[Thrippunithura]].]] '''Temple elephants''' are a vital part of many [[temple]] ceremonies and festivals in [[India]], particularly in [[South India]]. Many major temples own elephants; others hire or are donated elephants during the festive seasons. It is estimated that India has an elephant population of about 18,000; of this, about 550 are domesticated elephants that live in [[Kerala]], the southern Indian state. The Indian elephant population has actually decreased from around 100,000 at the early part of the 20th century; widespread poaching of adult male elephants for ivory has wiped out entire herds, leading to trauma among the younger elephants. 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. == Gallery on elephants == <gallery> Image:temple elephant 2.jpg|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]]. Image:temple elephant 3.jpg|The colored umbrellas and peacock quill decorated fans used with caparisoned elephants. Image:Pooram Elephant 1.jpg|An elephant carrying ''Thidambu'' during [[Thrissur Pooram]] festival, [[Kerala]], [[south India]]. Image:Elephant Saluting.jpg|An elephant saluting [[Vadakkunathan Temple|Vadakkunathan]] during [[Thrissur pooram]]. Image:ThrissurPooram-Kuda.jpg|Elephants standing during [[Thrissur pooram]] festival in [[Kerala]] state of [[south India]]. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants10 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants11 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants2 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants4 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants5 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants6 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants7 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants8 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants9 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. Image:Thrippunithura-Elephants-Panchavadyam-1 crop.jpg|Caparisoned elephants during [[Sree Poornathrayesa temple]] festival. </gallery> == See also == * [[Elephants in Kerala culture]] * [[Thrissur Pooram]] * [[Guruvayoor]] * [[Guruvayoor Temple]] * [[Animal worship#Elephant|Animal worship]] * [[Elephant]] ==External links== ==External links== *[[Elephants in Kerala culture]] * [http://www.atmajyoti.org/vi_temple_elephants_large.asp Temple Elephants Video] A short Quicktime video of Elephants from Tiruvannamalai, Sri Rangam and elsewhere. [[Category:Elephants]] [[Category:Animals in religion]] [[Category:Indian culture]]