Devotees flock to elephant festival
A 36-hour long elephant festival in southern India has attracted thousands of Hindu devotees.
The annual Thrissur Pooram, which is the biggest elephant festival in the state of Kerala, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of destruction.
The festival starts with the arrival of small rival elephant processions carrying their deities from various temples across Thrissur district and culminates at the grounds of Vadakkunnathan temple in the city of Thrissur.
Thrissur Pooram - the highlight of which is a parade of 30 richly ornamented elephants - was first celebrated by King Sakthan who ruled in the late 18th century.
Hindus in India revere elephants as the incarnation of elephant god Ganesha, lord of luck and prosperity.
The word 'Pooram' means a group or a meeting and it is believed the gods and goddesses gather for a day of celebration every year in the months of April or May.
© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
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