Adoor Gajamela

About Adoor Gajamela

Adoor Gajamela is held at at the Sree Parthasarathy Temple located at Adoor, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.Gajamela or the elephant pageant on the concluding day is the highlight of the 10-day annual festival at the Sree Parthasarathy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna, known here in the name of Parthasarathy (Partha’s charioteer; Partha (Arjuna) was one of the five Pandava princes, the heroes of the epic, Mahabharatha). The elephant is the most well loved and the revered animal in South India and more so in Kerala. Any temple or religious festivity without elephants do not achieve their desired altitude. Gaja is Sanskrit means elephant and mela means a fair. The Adoor Gajamela is therefore a fair of elephants. Elephants adorned in glittering ornaments and accompanied by traditional art forms like panchavadyam are a sight to behold. The gajamela is a fitting conclusion to the festival which showcases the choicest of ethnic art forms. Take in a whiff of the cultural essence of Kerala with Indian Festival Tours .This festival is organized in Jan/Feb. In the year of 2010 the Gajamela is organized on 26th of January.

The shrine is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna, known here in the name of Parthasarathy (Partha’s charioteer; Partha (Arjuna) was one of the five Pandava princes, the heroes of the epic Mahabharatha).The temple also celebrates Ashtamirohini the birthday of Sree Krishna. Parichamuttukali - a folk art resembling the martial steps, Mayooranritham - Peacock dance, Ammandudam, Velakali - dance symbolic of ancient warfare, etc are performed during the Ashtamirohini festival.The Gajamela attracts thousands of people and the temple is easily accessible by road.

Interesting things to Visit

Pandalam:

This is a township in Pathanamthitta District. It is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. It is considered as a holy town. Pandalam is also a well known educational and health care centre in central Travancore.Pandalam hosts a lot of educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to Post Graduate, Training, Ayurveda, Medical and Engineering Colleges.

Pampa Maha Ganapathi Temple:

The Mahaganapathi Temple at Pampa 8 Kms from Sabarimala, has an important roll in the Sabarimala pilgrimage as it is the main halting point. The temple is reached by climbing about 102 steps. Breaking of coconuts is the main offering here. Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi are the other holy places enroute.

Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple:

Located 15 kms away from Pathanamthitta on the banks of Achankovil river, is the Valiyakoyickal Temple of Sri Dharma Sastha. Believed to be constructed by the Raja of Pandalam, this Ayyappa shrine has been modeled on the Sabarimala temple. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. One of the major events associated with the ‘Makaravilaku’ festival is the procession carrying the ‘Thiruvabharanam’ (sacred ornaments) of Lord Ayyappa from the Valiyakoyical temple to Sabarimala. This is performed three days prior to makaravilakku.

Vinjana Culture Centre :

The dance dramas of the Kerala performed in traditional costumes, are a major attraction here. These dances are integral to visitor experience.

Kathakali Dance Dramas :

It exhibits energy in its five forms - Earth, Fire, Water, Wind and Space or Air.

Thiruvamundur Temple:

This is dedicated to Lord Krishna and attributed to Nakul, one of the five pandava brothers.

Parumala Church:

It is here that Mar Gregories Metropolitan the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church take his eternal rest . The ormapperunnal celebrated on the first and second of every November.Partha was one of the five Pandava princes, the heroes of the great Indian epic, Mahabharatha.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Police station
Pandalam, Pathanamthitta
Kerala

Police Station
Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Changethu Bhaskaran Nair Memorial Hospital
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

BODHI HOMOEOPATHY
ABAN TOWER, ABAN JUNCTION
PATHANAMTHITTA,
Kerala 689645
Tel:09447364380

Muthoot Medical Centre
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Poyyanil Hospital
Kozhencherry
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Government Hospital
Elanthur, Elanthoor
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Location info

• Address: Adoor, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India

• District: Pathanamthitta district

• Nearest City: Trivandrum,Vachoochira, Adoor,Ernakulam,Mallapally, Kozhencherry and Erumeli.

• Best time to visit: January and February.

Things to do at Adoor Gajamela

You can see the other three temples of lord Shree Krishna besides this temple and watch the Arunamala Snake boat race, he temple also celebrates Ashtamirohini the birthday of Sree Krishna.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.