Gajalakshanangal

1. Veeneduthu akanna uyarnna kombukal


2. uyarnna thalakkuni


3. thericha vayukumbham


4. virivulla masthakam


5. thenniramulla kannukal


6. thoonupole valuthum nere ullathumaya kalukal


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


8. thelinja madagiri


9. uyarnnathum neelam koodiyathumaya udal


10. irikkasthanam vistharam ullathum mamsalvum ayirikkanam


11. nilathizhayunnathum nalla vannavum ozhukkum ulla thumbikkai


12. chevikal valuthum veeshumbol thappukottunna shbdathodu koodiyathum ayirikkanam


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


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

More about the auspicious signs of this animal

Majestic jumbos of Kerala

Shankarankulangara Manikandan

Kongadu Kuttishankaran

Mangalamkunnu Vijayan

Mundackal Devanarayanan

Elephant bath

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 food
• Elephant village
• Elephant travel
• Durbar Hall ground pictures
  

Elephant patrol in Wayanad to check poaching

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
• Elephant ride
• Elephant race

Elephant Park at Eroor

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

Elephants hospital in Kerala

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 art
• Elephant Book

Elephant news from Kerala

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

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

Elephant tourism

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

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

Elephant camps

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

1. Konni
2. Kodanad
3. Muthanga
4. Nilambur
5. Aryankavu
6. Thekkady
7. Tholpetti

More about the elehphant camps of Kerala

Aana vayil Amabzhanga

A shelter for Retired elephants

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

Elephant cam

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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.