The elephant is the most well-loved and revered animal in South India and Kerala. Any temple or religious festivity without elephants does not achieve its desired altitude. Gaja is Sanskrit means elephant, and Mela means a fair. The Adoor Gajamela is, therefore, a fair of elephants.
Nine majestically caparisoned elephants participate in this spectacular procession which starts from the Parthasarathy Temple and culminates at Chennapatti temple, 3 km from Adoor. Ottanthullal other traditional art forms are also staged on the tenth day.
About Adoor Gajamela Festival in Kerala
The shrine of Parthasarathy is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna, known here in the name of Parthasarathy. Partha is the other name for Arjun, a character in the epic Mahabharata. And Saraythy means charioteer. Lord Krishna drove Arjun’s chariot during the Battle of Kurukshetra. The temple also celebrates Ashtamirohini, the birthday anniversary of Sree Krishna.
Celebration of Gajamela Festival
Parichamuttukali – a folk art resembling the martial steps, Mayooranritham – Peacock dance, Ammandudam, Velakali – dance symbolic of ancient warfare, etc., are performed at the temple during the Ashtamirohini festival.
Description of Gajamela Festival
Adoor Gajamela is a ten days annual festival that is a widely famous elephant procession. Innumerable people come to the temple to witness this incredible spectacle where nine elephants are adorned in traditional Kerala style. The major highlight of this festival is that the nine elephants get a chance to compete with each other for the title ‘Gajaraja Pattam .’It literally means King of Elephants. During the celebration of this festival, visitors can behold various famous art forms of Kerala like Kathakali, Ottamthullal, traditional dances, and music performances.
