Often referred to as the ‘sons of the Sahya mountains’, elephants play a major role in the cultural life of Kerala.

There is hardly any place in the world where elephants are loved, revered and groomed as in Kerala.

Gajarajan Gireesan
This video clip shows Gajarajan Gireesan, one of the thirteen elephants belonging to the Cochin Devaswom Board.

In Malayalam, Gajarajan means the King of Elephants. This is a title conferred to elephants with auspicious looks by prestigious cultural organisations.

Gireesan, the 50 year-old elephant is one of the rarest in the entire state with his mighty looks.

Apart from being a well-preserved animal genus, elephants are owned by individuals and temples. It is assumed that there are more than 700 tamed elephants in the state.

This video was shot at the venue of Anayoottu ritual (mass feasting of elephants), held annually in the Vadakkumnathan temple, Thrissur.