The Elephant in Hindu Temple Worship Rituals
Lord Ganesh is the Lovable 'Elephant God'
The elephant in India is part of Hindu ethos and culture. It was used as an instrument of war and also as a log carrier in the woods. But its most lasting use has been as a part of Hindu rituals for worship at the temples. Because of its affinity with the Lord Gnash the elephants are trained to take part in religious festivals at most major temples in South India.
Elephants are trained from an extremely young age to take part in temple ceremonies. For this purpose trained mahouts condition the elephants to understand the nuances connected with temple rituals. The elephant is a very intelligent animal and it picks up the temple rituals very fast. For this purpose a lot many temples rear their own elephants for use at temples.
There are many elephant farms in South India. However the elephant farm at Guruvayoor temple located at Madumalai close to Coimbatore in the State of Tamil Nadu has the largest farm of them all. Nearly 50 domesticated elephants are bred and kept in this farm. These elephants are specially trained to take part in temple worship. The annual Ganesh festival which is spread over ten days during the month of Augest brings to the fore the elephant as a major part of the rituals.
During the Ganesh festival a team of about 20 elephants are first got ready and cleaned and scrubbed.They are then decked with flowers and ornaments. The decked elephants are then led by their mahouts to the temple in a procession. The elephants move in pairs and kneel before the Deity and carry on the ritual to the accompaniment of drum beats and blowing of conch shells. It is real sight to see the elephants kneel before the deity of Lord Ganesh and shower petals on him.
Tourists from all over the world come to see this lovely spectacle where elephants worship and pay obeisance to the temple deity - lord Ganesh. It is a sight that can be witnessed only in South India and nowhere else in the world. After the ceremony the elephants also partake of Prasad( sacred food) .
There are many other temples in south India that also train elephants for temple worship.This by itself are a wondrous event and I will recommend a tourist to India not to miss the spectacle of elephants worshipping at Hindu temples. It will be an experience he will cherish for ever
Published by MG SINGH
Widely travelled in India and abroad, Madan is an Air Force officer who opted for premature retirement.Madan had a checkered career in the air force where he commanded 3 Air force Units, is an alumini of th... View profile
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Post a CommentIndian Vedic contribution is a reservoir of Vibrant Information and Harmonious Creativity. May the Womb of Nature Embrace all with Tranquil Blessings from this day forward. Let this attract one's attention affecting them Positively. It is a Sanctuary of the Self , a Creative Venue which serves as an Enduring Expression of Lightness, where a peaceful Atmosphere with Sunlight Flows and serene atmosphere prevail.
In the storm of life we struggle through myriads of stimuli of pressure, stress, and muti-problems that seek for a solution and answer. We are so suppressed by the routine of this every life style that most of us seem helpless. However, if we look closely to ancient techniques we shall discover the magnificent way to understand and realize the ones around us and mostly ourselves. If only we could stop for a moment and allow this to happen. May all beings be happy (Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu)