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This is a four day tourism fair with a colourful march of 101 elephants. During January 17 to 20, the elephants decorated with bright colours and jewels, march from Thrissur to Thiruvananthapuram via Kochi and Alappuzha. The Great Elephant March is the greatest feat- a big time gathering of Indian tuskers set about a trip around Kerala- all decked up and ready to be worshipped and pampered by devotees and onlookers who choose to keep the elephants satiated since that according to their popular belief, keeps the Lord of wealth and wish fulfillment- Lord Ganesha satisfied. Incidentally, the Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant. However, the Great Elephant March has little or no religious significance behind it. It is by and large an attempt to boost tourism and to attract foreign tourists who have quite a fad for Indian festivals and rituals. A hundred and one tuskers, gloriously bedecked with glittering gold nettipattams or frontlets, stand proud and stately in the Tekkinkadu maidan. Their mahouts are atop, rising brilliantly coloured parasols in a mock staging of the great Pooram festival. The changing of parasols is a ritual known as kudamattom performed to the hypnotic rhythm of the pancharimelam, a traditional form of musical accompaniment. The march begins in Trichur Thekkinkadu grounds and ends in Thiruvananthapuram. The march begins with a magnificent array of elegantly caparisoned Tuskers standing tall with their mahouts. You can feed the elephants while the traditional 'Melam' (Kerala orchestra) plays on traditional pieces. After the ritual feeding and folk dance performance, it is time for you to enjoy a sumptuous traditional Keralian lunch. After lunch you can enjoy an exciting ride atop the elephants at the Thekkinkadu grounds. The inaugural day usually comes to end with splendid safaris. On the second day of the march the caravan reaches Cochin. Visit the old city or take a cruise on the emerald backwaters. Or take a walk down the Cochin Marine Drive.The next stop on the great march is Alleppey a major backwater destination in Kerala. Take a trip down the narrow manmade canals on local country boats or rice boats. Visit the coir industry and see how rope is churned out or coir. You can also purchase show pieces made of coir for home.On the fourth day, the Elephant pageantry is held at Trivandrum. Here tourists will have an occasion to witness Kerala's folk art forms and its ancient martial art display, Kalaripayattu. The grand finale is at Kovalam Beach. It concludes with the seaside barbecue. The grand finale of the march is to be at Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, the state capital. Spend the day as you wish- visit the Kovalam Beach or the Ranganathaswamy Temple. In the evening experience the Great Elephant Show arranged in a typical rural ambience. The show recreates the fabled Thrissur Pooram festival, which celebrates the friendly rivalry between two temple factions. A cultural program follows featuring martial arts, dances with the mesmerising crescendo of Panchavadyam. It is at Trivandrum that your elephant pals bid you adieu with a salute leaving you to indulge in a seaside barbecue and fireworks display. |
Location info: |
Address:Thrissur, Kerala, India, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia |
District: Thrissur |
Nearest City: |
Best time to visit: 17-20 January of every year. |
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Interesting things to Visit: |
The Shakthan Thampuran Palace Anakkayam Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam) Vadakkumnathan Temple Art Museum The Church of Our Lady of Dolors Sri. Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple Veli lagoon Aruvikkara Ponmudi Kovalam Sankumukham Beach Veli Tourist Village Public Park Kanyakumari Varkala Vizhinjam Peechi Dam The Archeological & Art Museum at Thrissur Thrissur Zoo Punnathur Kotta Kerala Sahitya Academy Guruvayur (Pilgrim Centre) Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Vilangan Kunnu Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls |
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Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station: Viyyoor Police Station Ayyanthole Police Station Peramangalam Police Station Anthikkad Police Station wadakanchery police station Police Station Police station Police Station Puvathur Police Station Police Station |
Nearest Hospital: Modern Hospital Kodungallur Nilayoram Resorts & Ayurvedic Centre Sree Chithra Ayur Home Danya Hospitals Nairs Hospital Samaritan Hospital Electronics Diagnostics Specialist Hospital Janatha Hospital Ranjini Eye Hospital |
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Useful Links: |
http://www.indiaprofile.com/fairs-festivals/elephantparade.htm |