Anayottam (Elephant Race) at Guruvayoor

It is interesting to see that the Temple Festival at Guruvayoor become starts with 'Anayottam' (Elephant Race)

Every year before the temple festival, there is an elephant race in which the elephants belongs to Guruvayur Devaswom are participating. 

This time also there were an Elephant Race and Guruvayur Kannan came first which marked the beginning of the 10-day long annual festival this year at Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayur. It is interesting to see that this is the ninth time Kannan  wins the race.

The race started from Manjulal at 3pm. Twenty-eight elephants lined up at Manjulal, which was the starting point. 

Hundreds of devotees gathered on the temple premises to witness the Anayottam. Police controlled the crowd with barricades on both sides from Manjulal to the Eastern Gopura Nada.

Since all elephants are participating in the race, in that day the 'Shiveli' is held without the presence of elephants. This is the only day shiveli is held without the presence of elephants. 


Being the winner Kannan will have the privilege of carrying the 'Thidambu' on all special occasions this year.

Kannan can stay in the temple compound for the next 10 days of the annual festival. He was served his favourite food like palm leaves, cooked rice, etc in plenty. He will be the main attraction of devotees who come for the festival.

 
Kannan is the star in the temple festival....................