Elephants

Nursery rhymes about Elephant

2010-08-09T23:54:00.000-07:00

Dedicated this post to my loving children who are the great inspiration to do all these...

Its an action song for play school children. Its really funny to watch their actions in detailing all the features of the great elephant.

"Aanakkothiri vayarundu
neelan thumbi kaiyundu
thumbapoovin niramulla
koortha kombukal randundu"

This is about Kuttishankaran Aana
"Aana varunnundaana
thumbikkayyullaana
vattacheviyullaana
neenda kombullaana
valiya vayarullaana
Kuttishankaran Aana"

This is also an action song
"Aana varunne changathi
aake urukkan changathi
karimalapoloru changathi
karukaru ulloru changathi
vannan kalukal nalennam
neelan kombukal randennam
thumbikkai ittattiatti komban
varunnathu kandille
pedi varunne changathi
odi olicho changathi"

This song is about the elephant at Kovilakam. Its a nice song explaining the details the elephant had done in Yesterday's night.
"kovilakathe keshavan ana
innale rathri madamilaki
nadu nadungi veedu kulungi
kettavarellam vira poondu
changala potti chithari panju
vamban komban gajaveeran
kovilakathe vathil thakarthu
kombil korthu pappane
vazhi vakkathe kinaru polichu
kayyil thadayum podiyayi
mumbe poyoru komban bussin
pimbe panju bahu dooram
puzhal irangi vanji marichu
nalanchalukal ozhuki poyi
ayyo potho nilaviliyay
nerchakal nernnu bhakthanmar"

A small song from my friend's collection
"Aana aarattu eecha eerandu
oothu oonjalu eelam elakka
sharkara kandalethum
chutti patti nadakkum
odichalum odichalum
pinneyum ethuvatharanu"

Aaranmula Mohanan passed away

2009-02-20T02:57:00.000-08:00

Mohanan who got gajarajapattom in last month from Thripunithura died at Aaranmula elephant shed on February 08, 2009. Local people alleged, cruelty of the mahouts led to this brutal incident. Forest Dept. had registerd a case and the investigation is going on. Hundreds of elephant lovers paid homage to the tusker.
Kummanam Rajashekharan, General Secretary Hindu Eikya vedi visited the spot and paid tribute to the elephant. He told media persons that people and temple authorities must rethink about the parading of the elephants and they must aware of the stress they undergo during such events.
Authorities will check whether any violations from Kerala captive elephants rules had led to the death of this animal. People observed hartal at Aranmula to convey their grief against the brutality of mahouts towards the elephant. Post mortem was conducted by the veterinary surgeons and organs were sent to Thiruvanathapuram for further examinations.

Jayalalitha's Krishna

2009-02-20T00:37:00.000-08:00

Krishna is a star in Punnathurkotta because she was offered by 'thalaivi' , former chief minister of Tamilnadu in 2001. Now he has 28 years. In 2004 he had won the 'aanayottam' conducted at Guruvayoor temple.

Earlier he was 'Kirangade Kannan' after she bought him she changed his name to Krishna. The ritual of offering an elephant to the temple is known as 'nadakkiruthal'. To offer an elephant to the Guruvayoor temple, clearance certificate from forest officials and veterinarians is a must. Besides the elephant we must give a fixed amount to the Devaswom for looking after it.

Jayaram's elephant love

Aanachantham

Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran

2009-02-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

Highcourt banned Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran from the festival of Thechikkottukavu temple. Forest Department had taken this precaution to prevent more accidents. One of his eyes are fully blind and another one is partially. Forest Dept. collected Doctor's Certificate about his blindness. This is not his musth period. Because of his partial blindness very minute irritation may damage human lives.

Thechikkottukavu in news headlines

Puthuppally Brahmadathan

2009-02-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

Owned by Lalam Mahadeva temple

Unnikrishnan from Manjeri

2009-02-10T06:17:00.000-08:00

Unnikrishnan

Thechikkottu kavu Ramachandran ran amok at Ernakulam

2009-02-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran the tallest elephant of Kerala went amok during the festival of Ernakulathappan temple. One woman was killed and several others injured seriously.

It was a sad moment for Kochiitis during the most renowned festival of Kochi. Thechikkottukavu came from the Ayini temple, Maradu. According to reports he was gaining more popularity during these festival season and his rate in some days reached 60,000 !!!!

More details of Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran

Aana Kaliyum Karyavum

Malayalam films

2009-01-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

Gajakesariyogam, a malayalam film with elephant as the central character. Elephant is from Bihar and she doesn't know malayalam. Then the owner decide to study Hindi which gives a strong humar aspect to the film.

Gajarajamanthram another film based on elephant.

Gajalakshanangal

2008-12-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

Veeneduthu akanna uyarnna kombukal

uyarnna thalakkuni

thericha vayukumbham

virivulla masthakam

thenniramulla kannukal

thoonupole valuthum nere ullathumaya kalukal

nakhangal 20 or 18 (5x2) or (4x2) kedupadukal illathathum veluthathum ayirikkanam

thelinja madagiri

uyarnnathum neelam koodiyathumaya udal

irikkasthanam vistharam ullathum mamsalvum ayirikkanam

nilathizhayunnathum nalla vannavum ozhukkum ulla thumbikkai

chevikal valuthum veeshumbol thappukottunna shbdathodu koodiyathum ayirikkanam

valinu kanankal vare neelam undavanam. valavo odivo undavan padilla. attam romavritham ayirikkanam

niram kariveettiyudethayirikkanam
puraku thazhnnathum mastham uyarnnathum ayirikkanam. nattellu mukalilekku valanjathayirikkanam
romangal kuranjirikkanam. thumbikkaiyude agram, nakku, chundu, ulnakku enniva chuvannirikkanam
padam kedukoodathathavanam
kazhuthu mamsalam avanam

More about the auspicious signs of this animal

Elephants....

2008-12-27T23:33:00.000-08:00

Aanachal- Regular path of elephant its also called as 'Aanathara'

Aanaviratti-place where elephant threatened, a plant also have this name because of irritating leaves.

Aanachuvadi- A herb used in Ayurveda. It is like the feet of elephant.

Aanavayan pura-Temporary setup with only one room

Aanavandi-Older days KSRTC buses are known as Aanavandi

Aanayirankal-Place where elephants climbed down

Aanavalankili is a common bird in Kerala

Paramekkavu Parameswaran

2008-12-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

The elephant with all majestic features owned by Paramekkavu Devaswom died on 2005 January 31st. He was 55 years old.. He had taken the thidambu of Paramekkavu for 15 years in Thrissur Pooram festival. He was bought from the Balaji Trust.
Paramekkavu temple
Paramekkavu temple is at Thrissur. One of the participants of Thrissur pooram. Bhagawathi is the chief diety. Thiruvambadi is another main participant temple of Thrissur pooram. These two temples arrange caparisoned elephants in pooram and this may be the main spectacular event of this festival of Kerala. 'Kudamattom' a display of umbrella is an interesting item.

Majestic jumbos of Kerala

2008-12-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

Shankarankulangara Manikandan

Kongadu Kuttishankaran

Mangalamkunnu Vijayan

Mundackal Devanarayanan

Thripunithura Vrischikotsavam

2008-12-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

Kazhcha seeveli at Sree poornathrayeesha temple, Thripunithura

Panchari melam led by Sri Peruvanam Kuttan Marar

Huge crowd during Vrishchikotsavam at poornathrayeesha temple

15 caparisoned elephants during kazhcha seeveli

Elephants participating in Vrishchikotsavam-2008

2008-11-07T06:06:00.001-08:00

Nanu Ezhuthachan Srinivasan
Kongadu Kuttishankaran
Shenoy Chandrashekharan
Pambadi Rajan
Thiruvanmbadi Cheriya Chandrashekharan
Paramekkavau Padmanabhan
Thiruvithamkur Devaswom Board Thrikkadavoor Raju
Kanjirakkad Shekharan
Cherai Krishnadas
Puthuppally Keshavan
Puthuppally Sadhu
Devaswom Gireeshan
Plathottam Babu
Cherai Parameswaran
Kuttankulangara Ramadas
Chakkalakkudy Balakrishnan
Unnippally Ganeshan
Nayarambalam Rajashekharan
Poothrikkovil Parthasarathy
Poothrikkovil Ganapathy
Brahmani veettil Parthasarathy
Madhurappuram Kannan
Sree poornathrayeesha Seva sangom Sri Hari

Sree poornathrayeesha Seva Sanghom, Thripunithura

Phone:2776655

Elephant ears

2008-11-04T05:28:00.000-08:00

Aanachuvadi herb images:courtsey wikipedia

Elephant ears have more functions than our ears. Its not just for hearing purpose but it regulates the body temperature also. Elephants always fan their ears to cool their body. Ears are capable of listening even infrasound. African elephant's ears are 3 times larger than Asian elephant.
Elephant ears have many more meanings.... above all they are very soft and sensitive organs.
Colocasia plants are also called elephant ears(ചേമ്പില) .
In US a doughnut, a special dish served in carnivals is called elephant ears!!!!
In Kerala a herb is called aanachuvadi( ആനചുവടി ) means the foot of elepahnt..

Gajarajan Gireeshan pictures

2008-10-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

Gajarajan Gireeshan of Cochin Devaswom Board. Cochin Devaswom Board has 13 elephants.

Gireeshan is 50 years old. His majestic look attracts people. Shots from the west entrance of Sri Poornathrayeesha temple, Thripunithura.

Gireeshan, the elephant of Kochi Devaswom Board. Tethering place of the elephant is filled with Elephant dung left over vegetation from previous days. Unhygienic premises will be harmful to their health. Tethering place is known as 'Kettu thara'( കെട്ട്തറ) in malayalam. It must be cleaned on a daily basis. This will prevent foot infections of the elephant.

Secure sleep...

2008-10-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Elephant calf sleeping in the midst of the herd. They always provide security to their little ones... Views from Bannerghatta national Park, Bangalore. The park is famous for Lion and Tiger safari. We can watch the animals from their natural habitat.

Views from Bangalore. Shots by my friend Susan

Guruvayoor Valiya Keshavan

2008-10-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

The tallest among the 64 elephants of Punnathoor Kotta(308cm). Nakeri vasudevan Nambuthiri offered him to Sri Guruvayurappa on 2002 May 9th. He is from Bihar. He is considered as the successor of Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan. Formerly he was Nakeri Ayyappan Kutty.

Some fast facts about elephants...

2008-10-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

A scene from Pinnawallah elephant orphanage, Srilanka
http://www.elephantcountryweb.com/Realellies.html

The largest land animal

Second tallest land animal

Longest living mammal other than humans

They continue to grow throughout their lives

They are highly intelligent

Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan

2008-10-28T03:06:00.000-07:00

Guruvayur Padmanabhan is the elephant of Sri Guruvayurappa. His divinity and his magnetic appeal makes him the god's own elephant . According to elephant craze people of Kerala he is one of the auspicious elephant with all the signs.He is from Nilambur forests. Erandathu Puthenveettil Achuthan nair and Madhavan nair, known as E P Brothers offered him to Sri Guruvayurappa. Then he was 14 years old. Now he is crossing his 70s.
In 2004 he got 'Gajaratnam' from Guruvayoor Devaswom Board. Now he is 'Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan'. Elephant lovers associations and temples honoured him several times. For festivals he is always considered as the 'Ezhunnellippana'. The elephant who carries the idol of chief diety is known as 'Ezhunnellippana'. Some of his peers have more 'Thalappokkam' than him then also he is considered as the leader because of his calm nature and he is also the successor of the legend Sri Guruvayoor Keshavan.
Guruvayoor Padmanabhan Pictures
Elephant facts

Thiruvanikkavu Jayaram Kannan got Gajarajapattom

2008-10-26T00:49:00.000-07:00

The famous elephant of cine star Jayaram got Gajarajapattom from kodannoor Dharmashastha Kshethram. Kannan who is famous for his calm behaviour, acted in more than 33 films. Superstar Mammootty is also planning to act with him in an elephant oriented film.
A large crowd was present to witness the historical moment. Our beloved home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan presented Kannan with prestigious 'Gajarajpattom' award. Jayaram with his family was present in the meeting. K B Ganesh Kumar president of the Elephant owners association, Sathyan Anthikkad, Sreekumar Arookkutti and politicians were also present.
Jayaram Kannan is a nadan elephant. He is from 'Kodanad Aanakkalari'. After that he was with a circus troop. Jayaram bought him from Manissery Hari. Then he became Thiruvanikkavu Jayaram Kannan.

Elephants from Kerala

2008-09-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

Nanu Ezhuthachan Sreenivasan
Pambadi Rajan
Thiruvambadi Kuttishankaran
Thiruvanikkavu Rajagopal

Thiruvambadi Kuttishankaran

Eerattupetta ayyapan

Gajaratnam Guruvayoor padmanabhan

Cherpulassery Parthan

Elepahant dung

2008-08-27T01:21:00.000-07:00

180Kg of waste in a day from an adult elephant!!! A messy problem for mahouts and keepers. A story from Pinnawela elephant orphanage of Srilanka with 60 elephants. Now they started making eco friendly paper from the elephant dung. Elephant dung which pass through series of processes will turn into ordinary paper and it will be bacteria free also. Elephants are poor digesters. Dung is fibre rich. The orphanage use the profit of this paper to the well being these pachyderms itself.

Elephant related posts:

Elephant bath

Elephant cam

Elephant bath

2008-08-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

Elephants love water. Elephants bath is a time consuming process for mahouts. In Kerala there may be 2 or 3 mahouts(pappan) for an elephant. They scrub the body of the elephant with coconut husks. This will remove the dirt and increase the blood circulation. Its very interesting to see this huge bath. Elephant will change its positions according to the instruction of 'Pappan'.
Related entries:

Elephant patrol in Wayanad to check poaching

2008-08-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

Kerala Forest Department started anti- poaching patrol among the thick forest of Kerala-Tamil nadu border according to the information from the Thamil Nadu authorities about the poaching in this area. The team consists of 3 elephants their mahouts and forest officials. The elephants belong to the Forest Department of Kerala.
According to them elephant patrolling has many advantages.

We can travel through thick forests
Elephant riding provides better surveillance
Protection from wild animals

They spend three days at a stretch which gave a close look of the activities inside the forest area.

Related entries:

Elephant Park at Eroor

2008-08-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

Baby elephant from Thailand

A happy news to the elephant lovers of Kerala to have an elephant park in Thripunithura. The abandoned 'aanaparambu' of Eroor will attract tourists with its new face as an elephant park with viewers gallery, a reference library for elephant lovers and quarters for mahouts etc. The Cochin Devaswom Board co-operating with Thripunithura Municipality and Elephant care are taking efforts to launch the shelter for elephants as soon as possible. The spacious ground with a well placed pond is the appropriate place for elephants. Its also the place of Poornathrayeesha, the god with elephant craze.

Related entries:

Elephant Hospital

Elephant Orphanage

Elephant Kraal

Ezhunnallippu

2008-08-23T08:47:00.001-07:00

Elephant march during the 'parayeduppu' of poonithura kottaram temple, thripunithura.
Panchavadyam means Orchestra which consists of five instruments. idakka,kombu,maddalam,thilmila and ilathalam are the five instruments used in Panchavadyam.
Panchavadyam shots from Gandhi square in Kochi

Caparisoned elephant shots with kolam on the top.
'Thidambu' of the chief diety of Poonithura Kottaram temple, Pettah
Elephant march in a temple at Kochi accompanied by Panchavadyam.
Elephant with Muthukkuda, nettippattom, venchamaram and aalavattom.

Para ezhunnallippu of Poonithura Kottaram temple on Ashtamirohini. Caparisoned elephants accompanied by panchavadyam. Poonithura temple has strong relation with poornathrayeesha temple. According to legends, it is the place where Arjuna and the brahmin descended in santhana gopala story. Here Arjuna took the idol from 'pooni' , brought from vaikunda. Thus the name poonithura came. Muthukulangara temple at Eroor also has connections with the Poornathrayeesha temple.

Elephants Orphanage

2008-08-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

Picture from Pinnawallah elephant Orphanage in Sree lanka.

The inauguaration ceremony of the elephant Orphanage at Kottur will be held on 26th August freeing 5 elephants into the confined area. Kottur is near to the Agasthyavanam in Thiruvananthapuram District. The exact place of the rehabilitation Centre is at Kappukad. The first stage of the orphanage had completed with the help of 'Project Elephant' by the India Government. Here we have a close interaction with these animals. Facilities for Elephant Safari is also here.
According to the Kerala Forest Department this will be a retirement home for the sick and injured animals. There they have freedom for roaming in protected areas. A team of experts will be there to look after them. Above all a chain free life is the most striking feature of this institution. Wild calves that can not be send back will be admitted to the orphanage. The centre will have the facility to accommodate 30 elephants at a time. This may be the first in India aiming the welfare of the animals.
Females with calves will be in one area. Tuskers will have separate area. Each male will be separated by electric fence. Surely this attempt will reduce the abuse and mishandling of elephants.
The centre also accept donations from animal lovers across the world. The authorities are planning to start a paper making unit from elephant dung. Such units are very popular in Thailand and Sree Lanka.

Kottur is the Head quarters of Agasthyavanam Biological Park. It is around 35Km away from the Trivandrum town. Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak of Kerala. Forest is named after this peak. In this park we can have trekking through the wild, bird watching and videography.

Related entries:

Rehabilitation centre

Elephant Craze

Malayalappuzha Rajan

Elephant feeding

Elephants hospital in Kerala

2008-08-22T00:49:00.000-07:00

Kerala, the land of elephant craze people had taken a strong step towards the well fare of captive elephants. A hospital had started for elephants at North Paravur. Hospital's proprieter is Ramesh Peruvaram who is also an elephant owner. Elephants with wounds need long term treatment with patience. Dedicated veterinarians are there to care them. Medicines are prepared in the hospital itself. Within 6 months more than 30 elephants came there to have a better living.

Elephant village of Kerala

Elephant race in Kerala

Elephant ride in Kerala

Elephant expert from Kerala

Elephant news from Kerala

2008-07-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

Thriprayar Ramachandran and Ravipuram Govindan in news about their lengthy tusks and their problems.....

Kuttipappan with elephants in his journey to the almighty.....

Aanakkundoru katha parayan-Jumbo tales

2008-07-21T23:26:00.000-07:00

Mr. Sreekumar Arookkutty, author of the book' aanakkundoru katha parayan' also the director of the programme E4 Elephant in Kairali TV. Picture courtsey:The Hindu

Every elephant has a story to tell that's the theme behind the book 'Aanakkundoru katha parayan' a book by Sreekumar Arookkutty, is very interesting and informative for the elephant craze people around the world. The writer who is the director of the Program 'E4 Elephant' in Kairali TV is sharing his own experience with the captive elephants of Kerala. The book explains the history and their present status in the festivals of Kerala in their own words. Surely this book will invoke the love towards elephants in the minds of readers. This book covers the stories of 57 captive elephants of kerala. In each story he covers its auspicious signs(lakshanangal), its present owner, its relations with owner, mahout and others, its peculiarities,its popularity, comparison with its contemporary elephants and many many more. Its a wonderful attempt in the elephant field of Kerala. Through this book writer conveys the difficulties of an elephant owner, the dedication of mahouts and it reveals the world around a chained elephant trying to explore the history behind its violent behaviors. This book also contains the address and phone numbers of elephant owners of Kerala.Surely this book is a feast to the elephant lovers.
The book starts with the most famous elephant of Sri Guruvayoorappa -'Guruvayoor Padmanabhan' and then he narrates the story of 'Sri ParamekkavuSree Parameswaran' the elephant living through our hearts. The other elephants are Guruvayoor Valiyakeshavan(Punnathoor Kotta)

Nandilathu Gopalakrishnan(passed)

Pambady Rajan

Saj Prasad(passed)

Thechikkottu kavu Ramachandran

Ezhuthachan Sreenivasan

Kuttankulangara Ramadas

Kodungalloor Gireeshan

Ezhuthachan shivashankaran(passed)

Poothrukkovil Ganapathy

Kongad Kutty shankaran

Thiruvambadi Shivasunder

Mangalamkunnu Ganapathy

Thirunakkara Shivan

Mangalamkunnu Ayyappan

Karunagappally Mahadevan

Thrikkadavoor Shivaraju

Kuttankulangara Arjunan

Chirakkal Kalidasan

Cherppulassery Parthan

Asiad Appu

Chirakkal Mahadevan

Iringappuram Prakashshankar

Puthenkulam Ananthapadmanabhan

Mangalamkunnu Karnan

Kolakolli(passed)

Shenoy Chandrashekharan

Puthenkulam Mahadevan

Paramekkavu Padmanabhan

Thiruvambadi Kuttishankaran

Thriprayar Ramachandran

Thadathavila Suresh

Cherthala Prameela

Bastian Vinayashankar

Manisseri Raghuram

Mullathu Ganapathy

Poomully Prithiraj

Iringolkavu Lakshmi

Ernakulam Shivakumar

Gurujiyil Shivanarayanan

Muthumala moorthi

Nakeri Ayyappan

Pallathankulangara Gireeshan

Oottoli Rajashekharan

Adiyatt Ayyappan

Kiran Narayanan kutty

Guruvayoormukundan

Eerattupetta Ayyappan

PullukulangaraGaneshan

Malayalappuzha Rajan

Chullipparambil Vishnushankar

Muthumala Rathi

Ravipuram Govindan

Thiruvanikkavu Jayaram Kannan

Kidangoor Sethu Lakshmi

You can buy this book from this link

Elephants with Identity cards

2008-07-05T05:16:00.000-07:00

It is assumed that all captive elephants of Kerala have their own identity cards. The identity card, called microchip contains a 10digit number which can be read by a card reader. All details of the elephants will be imprinted on the chip such as history, owner and physical details. The microchip in the size of a grain will be fixed under the left ear of the elephant. Elephants without microchip can not partcipate in any events.
More on this news
Related entries:Shelter for retired elephants
Twin elephants from Konni elephant Kraal
What are they eating ?????
Asiad Appu and Kuttinarayanan

Aanakkottil

2008-07-05T01:42:00.000-07:00

Aanakkottil is elephant shed. Most of our religious festivals will be incomplete without elephants. Most of the temples have permanent facilities to incorporate elephants during festive seasons. Its also called 'seva panthal'. This is a part of temple construction. This indicate elephants have a prestigious place in kerala's culture. More

Join elephant conservation programs

2008-07-02T01:40:00.000-07:00

Threats to elephants..

Poaching for Ivory
Destruction of natural habitat
Human-elephant conflict
Illegal capture of wild elephants for tourism

Join elephant conservation progarams....

A humble attempt to explore nature: Shades of violet

2008-07-02T01:34:00.000-07:00

A humble attempt to explore nature: Shades of violet

Elephant tourism

2008-07-01T22:57:00.000-07:00

Chinnar wild life sanctuary
Wild life sanctuary is a confined area in which the eco system, animals and birds are protected by the Government.
Chinnar wild life sanctuary
A unique one of its kind with a variety of animals. It is located at 60Km from Munnar and 180Km from Kochi. The nearest town is Marayoor. Nearest Railway station in Kerala is Alwaye. Munnar-Udumal pett road is passing through the sanctuary. Its a wonderful site to observe the mammals Elephants and tiger.

Money plant Mandaram Changalam peranda

Guruvayoor Keshavan

2008-07-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

Another film is in progress based on the life of the legendary elepphant Guruvayoor Keshavan. It is based on the novel named 'Guruvayoor Keshavan' written by Puthoor Unnikrishnan. Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran is acting as Guruvayoor Keshavan. It is a great honour to him to be a part of the story of his ancestor. Chirayckal gopi, a young tusker of Kerala is doing the younger stages of Guruvayoor Keshavan.
Surya TV is telecasting a serial based on his legendary life. This may be the first one of its kind in India. 'Gajarajan Guruvayoor Keshavan' is the title of this serial.
Guruvayoor Keshavan
Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran

Kodanad

2008-07-01T01:25:00.000-07:00

Kodanad is waiting for International training centre for Mahouts.

Thekkady

2008-07-01T01:09:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy:www.thekkadywildcorridor.com/

You can have an elephant ride through the jungle at Thekkady. All the facilities are arranged by Forest Department of Kerala.

Trekking:Interesting trekking areas, mainly Kurishumala, pullumedu and Ottakkathalmedu.

Boating trips: enjoy the wild beauty from a safe distance and can take photos of wild animals.

Telephone numbers : 91-486-322620

91-486-322028

91-486-322027,322028

Thumba poovu

Chingam...Kanni.... Panchamritham

Elephant camps

2008-07-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

In Kerala there are 7 Elephant camps run by Forest Department of Kerala.

Konni
Kodanad
Muthanga
Nilambur
Aryankavu
Thekkady
Tholpetti

More about the elehphant camps of Kerala

Aana vayil Amabzhanga

mozha elephants at Punnathur Kotta

2008-06-08T21:58:00.000-07:00

Mozha elephants-Tuskless male elephants are called mozha elephants. There are two mozha elephants at Punnathur kotta. Guruvayur Balakrishnan and Guruvayur Junior Lakshmanan. These elephants have less demand compared to tuskers in festive seasons. So they are more healthy than other members. E4 elephant the program in Kairali TV is an excellent one giving a close look to the kerala captive elephants.

Drawing elephant

2008-05-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

Suresh, an artist from Kochi had drawn more than 200 pictures of elephants without chains. Almost all of his pictures are with the same title'Elephants without chains'. He is a great elephant lover and eager to draw elephants in happy mood. Most of his elephant creations are in different colours other than black. According to him black indicate sadness. Most of his customers are tourists coming to Kochi.
He is a degree holder from Fine arts college, Thiruvananthapuram. Now he is working on big painting with more than 700 elephants representing 700 million people race all over the world.

Picture courtsey:How stuff works, an interesting site to know how to draw an elephant....

A shelter for Retired elephants

2008-04-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

Kerala Forest Department took an inspiring decision to look after the old elephants of Kerala. The rehabilitation centre is a unique centre in the country itself. The proposed centre is at Kottur near Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala has the privilege of having the maximum number of captive elephants in the country 900! But the most of the owners exploit them in their youth and they will be rejected in their old age. The centre incorporates the facilities for the fodder and there will be a veterinary clinic for these pachyderms.
External link

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Bellari-human elephant conflict

2008-04-05T01:02:00.000-07:00

A shot of Bellari-vast and green clultivation areas
Elephants always invade into the cultivation areas of Bellari causing a human elephant conflict. Forest officials and anti poaching staff will try to chase them back into the forests by beating drums and bursting fire crackers.

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Elephant cam

2008-03-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Elephant cam captured images of Tiger(Courtsey:BBC)

Elephants can store upto 8 Litres of water in the trunk. They use the trunk as an instrument.

This trunk consists of more than 40,000 muscles!!!

BBC had made a film about Tigers. They had fixed cameras on trained elephant trunks !!!!

More pictures and details

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Gajapooja

2008-03-25T01:41:00.001-07:00

"Gajananam Bhoothaganadhi sevitham Kapithajam bhubhalasarabhakshitham
Umasutham Shokavinashakaranam Namami Vigneswara padapankajam"
Gajapooja is worshipping of elephants. According to Puranas elephants are considered as incarnation of Mahaganapathy, the god who diminishes all obstacles. Vinayaka Chathurthy is an auspicious occasion for Ganapathy Temple. At Malliyoor Temple every year 'Gajapooja' and 'Aanayoottu' are observed as part of the Vinayaka Chathurthi rituals. Caparisoned jumbos are considered as the most eminent guests of the day. The feast of these pachyderms is a great pleasure to the devotees of the temple too. Bhagavatha Hamsam Malliyoor Namboothiri the great guru and the great devotee of Sri Guruvayurappa is conducting various events in the temple which attracts a lot of devotees from various places. It is the only temple, the diety is Sri krishna in the lap of Sri Mahaganapathy.

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Konni Elephant Kraal

2008-03-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

Konni elephant camp(courtsey:Konniecotourism.org)

Twins from Konni Elephant Kraal

Konni, elephant training centre is in Pathanamthitta District, about 10Kms from the Pathanamthitta town.
The elephant Kraal is a wooden cage used for training baby elephants. Baby elephants are groomed by the trained mahouts (chattam padippikkal-teaching the rules of a tamed elephant). This domestication is done systematically and according to the rules. This elephant Kraal had a history of 100 years. It is located in an area of 10 Acres.

Kerala Elephants

2008-03-23T04:21:00.000-07:00

Luxurious bath-Shot from Kuttanadu

In Hindu culture Elephants have a relevant position. According to Hindus elephant is incarnation of Ganapathy 'the elephant headed god'. Our epics have a lot of stories about this wonderful animal. These animals make our festivities more colorful and attractive in such a way elephants have become an integral part of our life. Elephant is a wild animal and not a pet. We may love this animal but don't rely them. The relation between the human and elephant had started prehistorically. Elephants are considered as a symbol of the wealth of the family. Nowadays people became more craze about these animals.Elephant is earth's largest land animal. The huge size of the body and the slow movements make these pachyderms more magnificent but beyond this external appearance elephant is a sensitive animals with feelings like we do. The word elephant arises a nostalgic feeling of imagination and childish curiosity in us. Many people who became enthralled by the presence of the majestic view of this huge animal are not aware of the trauma they undergo under captivity. we have to know a lot about this animal which makes them more attractive and more lovable.

Kolambi poo Yellow beauties Poovarasu Kadalavanakku

Guruvayoor Padmanabhan

2008-03-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

He fires the enthusiasm among the elephant lovers by the elegant beauty and the majestic look. The most popular elephant of Kerala owned by Guruvayoor Devaswom. He has the privilege to carry the 'golden thidambu' of Lord Guruvayoorappa during 'Ekadasi Vilakku'and 'Arattu Ezhunnallippu' since 1962. People had a strong belief that he had the blessings of Lord Guruvayoorappa. He has been considered as the rebirth of 'Eiravatha' the elephant of King Indra. So his presence attracts the elephant lovers and devotees. He has all the auspicious signs of the elephant explained in 'Mathangaleela' -a book about the elephants. He is also known for the calm and obedient behavior and has never run amok during a festival.
In all festivities and processions he will carry the 'thidambu' the idol of the god and thus he will be the key attraction of the people. He is a valuable star among the elephants of Guruvayoor elephant sanctuary. He holds the record of for bagging the highest fee ('ekkam') of Rs.2,22,222/- for participating one day procession at Nenmara-Vallangi Vela in April 2004.

Happy Birthday to Sivan

2008-03-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

The youngest elephant of Kerala have the luck to celebrate his birthday among a group of elephant lovers of Kerala. Sivan belong to Puthenkulam Shaji is a star in Puthenkulam village and his presence attracts a lot of tourists and natives to Puthen kulam. Shaji bought his mother from Sonpur Elephant fair in Bihar. She became pregnant after sometime. He arranged all facilities for a smooth delivery.
Now SPCA authorities and elephant lovers of Kerala are arranging a large scale celebration of his birthday on April 2nd. Wishing all the best from elephant-kerala.com.

More about the birthday celebrations and a shot of Shivan with his mother from External link

Guruvayoor Keshavan

2008-03-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

Guruvayoor Keshavan and Narayani
The most legendary elephant of Kerala. He may be the first elephant who got such a wonderful fame through the devotion to the almighty. A film was also there to recollect him. His death anniversary is conducted every year by Guruvayoor Devaswom. All members of Punnathur Aanakkotta will gathers around his statue and garlands as a salute to their great ancestor.
The statue of Guruvayoor Keshavan

Kerala Elephants-pictures

2008-02-28T21:56:00.000-08:00

Pictures of majestic elephants of Kerala. Now its the time of festivals in Kerala. Elephant lovers are very busy to attend festivals, where elephants are the chief guests. Some pictures and details of Kerala's Elephants.

Puthenkulam-the elephant village in Kerala

2008-02-27T23:46:00.000-08:00

Puthenkulam village is in Bhoothakkulam Panchayath in Kollam District. The village has the credit of having the largest number of captive elephants in Kerala. The village has more than 40 elephants. Puthenkulam Ananthapadmanabhan is the hero of elephant lovers of Kerala belongs to Puthenkulam Shaji. He had 9 elephants(6 male) including male baby elephant Shivan. The village has a lot of water resources and rich in coconut trees also. Thus it became the ideal village for elephants. Shaji's family started the elephant business in Puthenkulam. Once they had 23 elephants!!!After the festival season he gives rest to elephants. During this time he uses them for elephant-tourism. Many foreigners are interested to feed and bath an elephant. They are very curious to spend a day with this animal. Shaji is also on his way to a tourist facilitation centre at Puthenkulam.
Puthenkulam Ananthapadmanabhan the tallest elephant of South Kerala(10 feet 2''). Other majestic elephants are Puthenkulam Arjunan and Puthenkulam Mahadevan. 7 months old Shivan is the key attraction.
Every year more than 10,000 tourists are coming to this village. Here we can spend a day with an elephant. Facilities for elephant riding and trekking are also available.
Former Chief minister of Jayalalitha is a fan of Shaji. Actors Jayaram, Ganesh kumar and Babu Namboothiri are also regular visitors to this elephant village.

Elephants of Shaji Puthenkulam
For more tourism facilities and resorts at Paravur

Veerappan-the elephant poacher

2008-02-19T23:50:00.000-08:00

Veerappan the Robinhood of India had poached more than 2000 elephants. He had collected more than 88,000pounds of ivory worth 2.6 milli0n!!!!

Elephant safari

2008-02-06T02:45:00.000-08:00

Riding on an elephant top. The most exciting and amazing attempt..This ride is used in wild areas where vehicles can not reach. This is mainly used in sanctuaries where the tourist can watch and take shots of the nature without any harm to the surroundings. More

Elephant ride from Thekkady to Kumarakom

2008-02-04T23:53:00.000-08:00

They may be the first couples travelling more than 130kilometers on the top of an elephant. Berner and Herta from Germany have a great craze for these pachyderms. They have great desire to climb to the top of an elephant and they are giving thanks to their friend who is running a travel agency at Germany. He had arranged their trip from Thekkady to Kumarakom. The elephant was Ushasree Shankarn kutty owned by Raveendran of Ettumanoor. More

Elephants dead-hitting the train

2008-02-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

Three elephants including a pregnant female were dead hitting a passenger train when they were trying to cross the railway line between Pothannur and Madhukkari station near Coimbathore. The pregnant female delivered during the impact but the baby also died at the spot. Two compartments of the train derailed but the 7 people inside the train escaped without any injury. The scene was a heartbreaking one, scattered carcass and the small cute baby elephant. The forest officials were chasing the elephants wandering in the outskirts of the city. Last night they used crackers to turn them away from the residential area.

Massage therapy for elephants of Kerala

2008-02-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

Alke Riesterer, who is a certified massage therapist from US is doing her therapy on elephants which is beneficial to relieve stress and good health. She came to Kerala as part of her research on elephants. She had done massage to the elephant Shenoy Chandrashekharan at Kundannor. Wild Trust of India and Elephant care Association of Kochi assisted her in this program. She starts her massage from the legs and touches all parts of the elephant body. During massage the elephant showed signs of relief and positively co-operated with her for this one hour long therapy.More
Jack fruit photos vegetable garden Kuttanadu paddy fields

Elephant camps in Kerala

2008-02-03T00:35:00.000-08:00

Picture courtsey:www.awf.org

There are 7 elephant camps in Kerala. These are run by the Forest Department of Kerala Govt.
Konni-Pathanamthitta District
Kodanad-ErnakulamDistrict
Muthanga -Wayanad District
Nilambur-Wayanad District

Nedumkayam elephant camp which is in Malappuram District, situated 18km away from Nilambur town. This camp is in the Nilambur reserve forest area. Nilambur is 40Km away from Malappuram.
Tholpetti -
Arymkavu-Pathanamthitta District
Thekkady-Kottayam District

Elephant as a friend

2008-02-01T01:59:00.000-08:00

Consider this animal as a friend. Says Dr. T P Sethumadhavan in his 'Anaye Ariyan'. This is the ultimate solution to stop human elephant conflict. Kerala has more than 700 captive elephants. Mostly they are used for the festival seasons. Over work, improper feeding and negligence in musth management creates more stress among elephants and this results into the death of humans. In this book he also suggests that an awareness program among the people and children may help to reduce the cruelty towards this wild beast. In this book he also explains about the Pinnawalla elephant orphanage in Srilanka, Millennium foundation in Srilanka and Mahout Village of Thailand. More

Kanthari images Nanthiar Vattom flowers

Kudam puli Kariveppu

Dr.K.C.Panicker-an elephant expert from Kerala

2008-01-30T21:36:00.001-08:00

Dr.K.Chandrashekhara Panicker mostly known as 'Anapanicker' is working for the conservation of elephants for 45 years and currently the Secretary of the Elephant Protection Society, Thrissur. He had done a lot of research in the field of the common ailments and treatments of elephants. He is the first one who scientifically classified the treatments of the elephants and these researches captured the attraction of the world. He was working as a Professor and the Dept. Head of the Parasitological Dept. of Kerala Agricultural University veterinary college, Mannuthy and he is an elephant disease expert in Kerala. He had tranquilized 500 musth elephants. In this world record he got commentable help from his colleagues Dr.Radhakrishna Kaimal and Dr. Jacob V Cheeran. He is the author of the book 'Aana Kathayum Karyavum' the book is a reference book for elephants in Malayalam. Now he is working to build awareness among common man to stop cruelty towards this huge creature and he has also plans to raise funds to build a crematorium for elephants. He hopes that more youngsters will come into the field of elephant research.
More on elephants...

Kerala Flowers Banana Ashoka chethi

Pinnawala elephant Orphanage, Srilanka

2008-01-30T21:33:00.000-08:00

25 Acres of land transformed to forest, habitat for 82 elephants in Srilanka. They can move around freely, the centre has only 35 mahouts. They can play in the river Mahaweli. Its also a natural breeding centre for elephants. Programs to start artificial insemination is going on. Every elephant is given 75Kg of food every day. The main food is coconut leaves.
More on elephants...

Elephants under the threat of extinction

2008-01-28T00:56:00.000-08:00

Social worker and the famous Animal lover of India Mrs. Maneka Gandhi comments that elephants are under the threat of extinction. The main reasons for this situation are Poachers, habitat loss, capturing of elephants for various purposes, human elephant conflict and the lack of breeding among tamed elephants. She says that we have only less than 800 bulls in the country. Bull elephants are the targets of poachers, their number is decreasing alarmingly. Our training methods are also brutal and premitive.

News from June 2000BBC News
http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Art of elephant keeping

2008-01-27T02:09:00.000-08:00

The first woman mahout of Asia
Nibha, have a post graduation in Zoology had started a paliative care clinic for abused elephants in her home at Kodeeri Mana, Thiroor. She was very craze about the elephants from her childhood. After her PG she spent four years to study about these pachyderms.More

A Foreigner to train elephants

Ilja Tromb from Netherlands is now at Kerala to study the art of elephant keeping from mahouts of Punnathoorkotta the largest elephant sanctuary in Asia. She is planning to do a paper on elephant management. For this she wants to know more about the relation between the mahout and the elephant, elephant's body language and communication between the elephant and mahout. The main obstacle for her study is the language. Her teacher the mahout Sathyapalan appreciates her hardwork and devotion.

News from Mathrubhumi on October 2003

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Pygmey elephants in Borneo

2008-01-27T01:55:00.000-08:00

The elephants are smaller in size with large ears, straight tusks and longer tails. They are considered to be a sub species. They are isolated for 300,000 years from their relatives in Asia.
The news from BBC

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Thara from Punnathoorkotta

2008-01-27T00:46:00.000-08:00

The senior most member of Punnathoor kotta. 70 years old. She came to the punnathoor kotta in 1957. She had caught from the forest near Palakkadu(Nellikkaledath). Kamala Circus company donated her to Guruvayoor. She knows all the rituals of Guruvayur temple.

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

War with the world but peace with the elephant

2008-01-11T00:05:00.000-08:00

"It is the most affectionate creature, more than a dog"-Abraham Thomas Kanjirappally about elephants..

Palakkunnam Estate, 108 Acre Rubber Estate situated at Kanjirappally, Kerala is a burial ground for elephants. 79 year old Abraham Thomas who is the owner, who explains himself as an 'ottayan' rogue elephant celebrates his life with spirits of 47 elephants. He has 7 living elephants. He provide the space and give assistance to remove the tusk. He is belonged to the oldest malpan family of Kerala. He had also built up the tomb for each of the graves.
More
For more exotic topics

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Elephant tusk

2008-01-09T02:14:00.000-08:00

Tusks are enlarged upper incisor teeth. In African Elephant both male and female have tusks. But in Asian Elephants only bulls have tusks. The visible tusk consists of dentine covered with enamel. This dentine is known as the Ivory. The cross-section of the tusk give a diamond shaped pattern. This pattern is unique in elephant's tusk. Ivory has been called as 'white gold' and its price sometimes exceed the price of gold. More

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Ezhara ponnana and Aaranmula Kannadi

2008-01-09T01:39:00.001-08:00

The Ezhara Ponnana Darshanam is in Mahadeva temple of Ettumanoor. 7 elephants with 2 feet height and one small elephant with 1 feet height are called 'Ezharaponnana'. The display of this wonder is in 8th day of the festival of the temple. These elephants are made of jackwood(varikka plavu). The wooden elephants are covered with golden plates. The legend behind these elephants is a story based on Anizham Thirunal Marthandavarma. Once he attacked the Ettumanoor, during the war the temple got damaged. After that the king and his family had suffered illness and other myseries. Then to propitiate the great Ettumanoorappa he offered 'Ezharaponnana' with 'thotti, valar'and a 'Pazhukkakkula' in gold.

Aaranmula kannadi is a unique work of Kerala...

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Elephant Quiz

2008-01-08T01:46:00.000-08:00

The largest land living animal-(Ans-African elephant)
A new born elephant calf may approximately equal to -(Ans-70-130Kg)
Difference between Asian female and African female-(Ans-African female have tusks)
The number of muscles in the trunk-(Ans-100,000)
Trunk is an extension of- (Ans-upper lip and nose)
Asian Elephant's ear is -----times smaller than their African Counterpart(Ans-3)
Which part of the body of the elephant regulates the temparature-(Ans-Ear)
Elephant eat ------of fodder every day(Ans-200-300Kg)
What is 'White gold'?(Ans-Elephant Ivory)
The other animal having Ivory teeth-(Ans-Walrus)

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran

2008-01-05T23:42:00.000-08:00

The hero of elephant lovers of Kerala. Today in E4 elephant the Director of the famous program Mr. Seeekumar Arookkootti asked to a mahout about his favourite elephant. His answer was Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran because of his manliness. According to his opinion there are two elephants in Kerala which have not any faminine characters.

Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran
Kanjirakkattu Gajendran

Some years ago Ramachandran climbed up to the first floor of a building after the punishments of the mahout. At the top he frightened to come down then a crane was used to lift him down. The contractor who had built the building became famous for the strong construction. The cement used for the building also got famous after this incident.

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Different names of Elephant

2008-01-05T04:13:00.000-08:00

Nagam, Gajam, Hasthi, Varanam, Mathangam, Kunjaram, Padmi, Dwitham, Ashtakaprahari

Elephant news and elephant science

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Elephant ornaments

2008-01-05T01:24:00.000-08:00

We are all familiar with nettippattom, muthukkuda, Aalavattom and venchamaram. More about the ornaments of elephants.

Kizhakku kizhakkoraana....More songs based on elephants..

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Punnathoor Kotta

2008-01-04T23:44:00.000-08:00

This 'aanakotta' or 'anathavalam' is located in Kottappadi;about 2Km away from the famous Guruvayoor Temple, provides home to more than 62 elephants offered by the devotees to the Guruvayoor temple at different point of time. Earlier this Kotta was punnathur palace and now it is owned by Guruvayur Devaswom. it is a 10 acre compound, rich with greenery. More

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Elephant craze through generations

2008-01-04T23:35:00.000-08:00

The great craze towards elephants made Mr.M Raghava kurup of Channanikkadu(near Chingavanam) the owner of more than 10 elephants. In his 16th he bought an elephant from Konni as fulfillment of his uncle's dream. The elephant cost was Rs.800/-. It was 76 years ago. After that he bought more than 50 elephants. His natives call him as 'Aanakkurupp'. He will participate in Gajamelas conducting by various temples. An elephant needs above Rs.500/- for the fodder and medicine every day. But he still finds money to nurture these pachyderms. Now he had crossed 90 years and had given his elephants to his children. More

In Kerala an elephant lover spent 15Lakhs for his pet elephant!!!!

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

'Aanayottam' (Elephant race)

2008-01-04T01:04:00.000-08:00

The most famous Aanayottam is conducted at the Guruvayur temple during the Utsavam. This will start from 'Manjulalthara'(Big banyan tree in the eastern entrance). The race ends at the flag post. During the race the elephants have to run 7 times around the temple. The elephant who wins will have the right to take the idol of Sri Guruvayurappa during the procession.
Legend behind the Aanayottam

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

Asiad Appu

2008-01-03T01:14:00.000-08:00

The celebrity mascot of the 1982 Asiad held at New Delhi died on 15th May 2005. The Kuttinarayanan was then 5 years old belonged to Guruvayoor Devaswom had risen to instant fame after the Asiad. He stole the minds of the viewers of the Asiad opening ceremony and won the appreciation of Mrs.Indira Gandhi and Mr.Rajiv Gandhi. More on the topic

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/ 'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Elephant Facts

2008-01-02T22:19:00.000-08:00

Elephants can perceive sound frequencies inaudible to humans. Some times they communicate each other through infrasonic waves. Large ears help them to receive a wide range of frequencies.
Elephants always fan their ears; this action cools their body. Elephants have few sweat glands, so the fanning of the ears regulates the body temperature.
Elephants travel a long distance in search of food
Elephants trunkful water almost weighs 10L. He uses the trunk as a hose and pour this into the mouth.
Bull elephants without tusks are called 'makhans'
Most of theelephants have 18 nails, some of them have 20

Fast facts of elephants...

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/ 'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Elephant's food

2008-01-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

Elephants spend most time of a day for eating...Large stomach ....Large appetite... Digestive system is inefficient to absorb maximum nutrients. So they eat approximately 250Kg of food everyday and 150L of water.
Elephant's favored food includes coconut leaves, palm leaves, bananas, mangoes, coconut, sugar cane, bamboo, berries, corn, jungle shrubs, palm fruits, wood apples, rice and jaggery.
More on the diet of Elephants

Smile please......

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/ 'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Aanayoottu

2008-01-01T22:09:00.000-08:00

Picture of Pambadi Rajan for sale in the road side of Perunna temple during Thaipooya kavadi mahotsavam.

'Aanayoottu' is the ceremonial feeding of elephants. Nowadays its a common thing in almost all the processions of the temples. In this ritual medicinal food prepared specially to feed the elephants. During this ritual a lot of food is given to elephants and it leads to 'erandakettal' means constipation.
Perumbillissery Sajprasad an elephant who participated in aanayoottu procession after that started the constipation and died on August 2007. Coconut, jgggery, rice flakes, honey they are formed as a concrete like mix in his colon and this leads to his death. It is also observed that the food is given in plastic carry bags and this may also damage their health.

The auspicious elephant of Kerala Pambadi Rajan is also suffering from 'Erandakettu'. Reports indicates that now he is recovering from the illness. More on Pambady Rajan

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/ 'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Malayalappuzha Rajan got 'Gajarajapattom'

2008-01-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

Malayalapuzha Rajan got 'Gajarajapattom'
The auspicious elephant of Kerala . He is very calm and have a height of 9.5 feets. He has beautifula tusks. Last year he got 125 chances to raise the idol in various places of Kerala. He has the record of taking the idol of 'Sri Dharmashastha' for the last 20 years. The authorities of Pallipparambu kavu Bhagawathy temple, at Thripunithura had honoured him with 'Gajarajan pattom'. He is from Konni elephant Kraal. Thiruvithamkur Devaswom Board had donated him to the famous Durga Temple, Malayalappuzha. Kochin Devaswom Board president and The Thripunithura MLA was also present at the function along with the large crowd of elephant lovers of Kerala. The auspicious signs of an elephant.

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/ 'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Jayaram's New year celebration

2008-01-01T00:38:00.000-08:00

Jayaram, cine star of Kerala is a great elephant lover. His home is at Perumbavoor near to Malayattoor. From his childhood he had got the opportunity to watch the elephants and taming of wild elephants. Now he has two elephants and he is also very particular about the good personalities or signs of an elephant. Occasionally he visits Sonpur mela an open market of elephants. More

Jayram and family celebrated the new year moments with his elephant Kannan at River treat resort at Cheruthuruthy near Bharathappuzha. His wife Parvathi and children Kalidas and Malavika spent some nice time with the elephant.Every new year they come to the banks of the river Bharathappuzha to have a good start for the coming year. Now Pazhoor Chirakkal Thiruvanikkavu temple is looking after the Kannan. Jayaram is busy with the shooting schedule of a new film'Parthan Kanda Paralokam'. More about the elephant craze of Jayaram...

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/ 'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Two baby elephants dead at Kodanad in Kerala

2007-12-31T22:36:00.000-08:00

Kodanad the elephant sanctuary in Kerala is in Ernakulam District. Two baby elephants Aswathi and Niranjan dead within 2 week. It is reported that 'Herpis Virus' infection is the reason behind the death. The officials at the camp had taken actions to prevent the infection.
For more elephant news visit the elephant site

Nibha Namboothiri the first woman mahout of Asia had started a paliative care clinic for abused elephants in her home at Kodeeri Mana, Thiroor. She was very craze about the elephants from her childhood. She studied with the first female mahout of India, Parvati of Assam. Parvati learned her trade from her father. Namboodiri explained that mahouts may be classified into three types. Those who use love to control their elephants are called reghawan; those who use ingenuity to outsmart them, yukthiman; and those who control their animals with cruelty, balwan. It is common wisdom that if a mahout is cruel to his elephant, he may end up being killed, but if he is kind, it may one day save his life. There is the story of Subedar Ali, a mahout who was mauled by a tiger. His elephant carried him to safety, traveling several miles with the tiger in hot pursuit

Address of Nibha Namboothiripad:

Kodeeri Natural Camp Kodeeri Mana, S. Nagaparambu Naduvattom P.O., Kuttippuram Via. Malappuram Dist, Kerala, India
Ph: 0494 2604578 Mob: 9447084578 Email: kodeeri@sify.com

Elephant news

2007-12-22T00:03:00.000-08:00

The tallest elephant of Asia died when trying to climb a lorry at Mulanjoor.
More

Puthenkulam is becoming a popular tourist destination as it is home to the largest number of captive elephants in Kerala. More

As their natural habitat of forests shrink or disappear, elephants are up against the only predator they cannot seem to outwit: man. More

A full-grown tusker was captured recently under the orders of the Kerala Forest Minister and put through `training' required to make him obedient. During the training, the elephant was tortured to death. More

Watch an elephant. If it's happy, it will be flapping its ears. If not, the ears stay static. When it is very angry, the tail goes up, then beware! Another piece of advice from Sreekumar is: Never bend before an elephant. That is one pose it misinterprets. It feels it is about to be harmed. Director of the everhit TV programme E4 Elephant, Mr. Sreekumar Arookkotti shares his experiences with this wild beast More

Six-year-old tusker Raghuram joined the herd of elephants owned by Thiruvambady Devaswom here on Friday. The tusker from Assam was donated to the devaswom by one of the devotees More

If asked to select a mascot for world peace, do you think children would choose the elephant?
More
For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Tap the hidden energy in you

Colours of Thripunithura utsavam

2007-12-13T23:44:00.000-08:00

Sree poornathrayeesha temple during 'Vrischikotsavam'
In this temple the Lord Vishnu is sitting under the great serpent 'Anantha'. Arjuna installed the idol and a great story behind this idol.
"Sarppadheeswaramethamel ramayumaychillivilasathinalmupparum bharanam nadathi vilasumpoornathrayeesha prabhothrippadangal paninjidunnorivanilcherthidane nithyavumpolpathoruha lolamala karunapoornangalam kankalil"

Flower stall at Thripunithura

The yard for the elephants at poornathrayeesha temple

valiyavilakku at sree poorna thrayeesha temple

Statue junciton in 'utsava lahari' .

A stall at the festival with colourfull baloons and toys

Ottam thullal -An ancient art form of Kerala. It has a surtle humour flavour too. The songs will be from the great epics of Bharatha.

Sree poornathrayeesha temple illuminated on 'Valiya vilakku'

Sarppadheeswaramethamel ramayumay chillivilasathinal mupparum bharanam nadathi vilasum poornathrayeeshaprabho thrippadangal paninjidunnorivanil cherthidane nithyavum polpathoruha lolamala karunapoornangalam kankalil

Thiruvambadi Chandrashekharan at Thripunithura.

During the great festival 22 majestic elephants from all over Kerala participated. 'Aanayoottu' feeding of elephants was done in 9 day festival.

Tap the hidden energy in you

Maradu Kottaram Bhagawathi

2007-12-03T01:04:00.000-08:00

Kottaram Bhagawathy temple images
The ground for the famous fire works and Mangayil school

Maradu Kottaram Bhagawathi temple is famous for the amazing fireworks during the annual festival. Two teams(Vadakke cheruvaram and Thekke cheruvaram) make the festival a memorable experience. The temple is near to Kudannoor juction and Le Meridian hotel. Bhadrakali is the main diety. Ganapathy, Shastha and Naga deva are sub dieties.

This years thalappoli(annual festival) begins on February 18.

Pandavathu Shiva temple is very close to the temple. A major shiva temple near by is Thiru Ayini temple. The temple is a very old one and has a serene atmosphere.

Sree poornathrayeesha vrischikotsavam

2007-12-02T22:47:00.000-08:00

Sree Poornathrayeesha temple is the at the heart of Thripunithura. The royal town has all the blessings of the the great Poornathrayeesha. Vrishchikotsavam is not a mere temple festival but it is the festival of all the people in Thripunithura. The legend behind the poornathrayeesha temple is a very interesting one. This explains the generosity and love towards the devotees of Sri Mahavishnu.
To know more http://www.elephant-kerala.com/

In this temple the most special offering to Sree Poornathrayeesha is Oil(especially gingely oil).

My first visit to Thripunithura was in search of a hostel. At last we (me and my parents)found a working women's hostel very near to Sree Poornathrayeesha temple. I can see the 'Kodimarom'(flag post) from my room. The hostel was an ancient kovilakam carrying the smell of past very near to Kalikkotta palace. The life of Thripunithura according to me is very calm and pleasant. You can see the announcements of performances of celebrities in Kalikkotta palace frequently. Slowly I became an adamant devotee of Sri poornathrayeesha who blessed my life with a loving husband.
My hostel was managed by the Thaluk Union Kanayannoor and the building incorporated an Old age home also. The memories always bring the grey shadows of the old people with bright memories of their loving ones. There were people without children also. The hostel food and the darkness in the rooms spread into their lives also. I have some wonderful friends there. I was really happy with my job and the happy moments with my friends.

Elephants-Son of Sahya

2007-10-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

Konni elephant Kraal
Kodanad Elephant Kraal
Punnathur kotta elephant sanctuary-Kerala
To know more about the above mentioned places and to view the pictures of these wild beauties http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Chethi Aaryaveppu and Shankupushpam

The famous jumbos of Kerala

2007-09-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Guruvayur Padmanabhan
Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran
Pambadi Rajan
Mangalamkunnu Karnan
Kandampully Balanarayanan
Thiruvambadi Sivasunder
Nanu Ezhuthachan Sreenivasan
Kongadu Kuttishankaran
Cherppulassery Shekharan
Ollukkara Thiruvanikkavu Rajagopalan
Eerattupetta Ayyappan
Kuttankulangara Ramdas
Kodungalloor Gireeshan
Thiruvanikkavu Rajagopalan
Mangalamkunnu Ayyappan(Paramekkavu Devaswom)
Thiruvambadi Cheriya Chandrashekharn
Pattathu Sreekrishnan
Guruvayur Indrasenan
Kuttankulangara Arjunan
Mangalamkunnu Ganapathy
Thrikkadavur Shivaraju
Guruvayur Valiyakesavan
Puthrukkovil Ganapathy
Puthenkulangara Ananthapadmanabhan
Malayalappuzha Rajan
Karunagappally Mahadevan
Paravur Shashi
Aaranmula Reghu
Thiruvalla Jayachandran
Thrissur Kandambully Balanarayanan
Manissery Karnan
Ottappalam Mangalamkunnu Karnan
Kollam PuthenKulangara Anantha Padmanabhan
Changanacherry Swamy Ayyappan
Kalloorkkadu Mahadevan
Pullukulangara Ganeshan
Viyyor Neelakantan
Shankarnkulangara ManikandanSreerangam Murali
Kalloorkkad Mahadevan
Ollukkara Krishnadas
Ezhuthachan Sreenivasan
Thirunakkara Sivan
MalliyoorSreeGanapathy
Pullamkulangara Ganeshan
Devaswom Achuthan Kutty
Ollukkara Krishnadas
Thottuchalil Bolenath
Mannar Vijayan
Durga Prasad
Puthuppally Kesavan
Sreerangam Murali
Mannar Madom Ganeshan
Udayanapuram Vijayan
Kiran Narayanan Kutty
Annamanada Umamaheswaran
Ushasree Shankaran Kutty
Vakkayil Gangadharan
Chirkkattu Venugopal
Puthuppally Brahmadathan
Kiran Kannnan
Kiran Ganapathy
Paravur Baladevan
Thiruvambadi Rajashekharan
Avittathoor Sivaprasad
Bastian Vinayachandran
Bastian Vinayaprasad
Chalakkudy Ukkankunju
Cheeroth Rajeev
Cheloor Gopinathan
Cherai Krishnadas
Chevoor Vijayan
Chirakkal Neelakandan
Chirakkal Kalidasan
Chulliparambil Ganapathy
Chulliparambil Vishnu
Cochin Devaswom Balaraman
Cochin Devaswom Ramachandran
Devaswom Gireeshan
Chappamattom Krishnankutty
Pallattu Shekharn
Elakkattu Bolenath
Thenmakkal Ganeshan
Mudakkalil Sulthankutty
Ithithanam Vishnunarayanan
Chirakkadavu Kannan
Pambady Sundaran
Edamanappattu Mohanan
Neendoor Ayyappan
Harippad Skandan
GVR Padmanabhan
Avanipparambu Damodaran
Puthrukkovil Ganapathy

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Thripunithura Vrichikotsavam

2007-09-01T02:21:00.000-07:00

Listing some of the magnificent jumbos from Kerala who had participated in Thripunithura Vrichikotsavam

Devaswom Kuttishankaran
Devaswom Kuttichidambaran
Devaswom Cheriyachandrashekharan
Devaswom Padmanabhan Kutty
Panamanna Koodalattupuram Mana Kizhakkedan
Paliyam Shekharan
Paliyam Kuttikrishnan Kolodi
Deshamangalathumana Ayyappankutty
Deshamangalathumana Gopalan
Koodalattupuram Ramachandran
Panamana
Kolakkunnathu Shankaran Nair’s Elephant
Kizhakkeveettil Gopi
Chennaz
Shankarnkulangara Kuttikrishnan

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

Elephantine thoughts

2007-08-25T04:03:00.001-07:00

Elephant is a feast for our eyes and this wild beauty evokes fear and childish curiosity in us. Epics had a lot of stories about the elephants (Kuvalaya peedham, Eiravatha). Elephant is also a troop in our war front (chathuranga sena-Aana, Kuthira,Theru and Kalaal). In Bharatha people had given a lot of importance to elephants in their life. Thus they reached scientific conclusions in their anatomy, behaviour, varieties, method of treatments and most common ailments. Mathangaleela and Palakapya are the evidences of their elephant related works. Elephant had influenced our language also. Mr.K.P.Raju an elephant lover of Kerala had given a precise description about the various aspects of the concept of elephant through his book ‘Gajakesarikal’.
The book starts with an explanation about the population of elephants in the world. It also covers Elephant science, elephant care, health, musth time, precautions and common ailments. The book also contains the color pictures of elephants from various phases of their life. This book will evoke the elephant lover in you and gives you the feeling of an ‘utsavam’.

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733