Aanayoottu: A unique temple festival that involves the feeding of elephants
Would you like to feed an elephant with your hands? If so you have every reason to take part in the elephant feeding festival organized by the temples in Kerala in the month of Karkkidakam (mid July to mid August). As far as I know Aanayoottu (feeding of elephants) is a unique ritual that only temples in Kerala perform. Earlier only Vadaakunnathan Temple, the temple whose precincts host the world famous Thrissur Pooram, used to organize Aanayoottu, but now most other temples in the state also conduct this ritual on a somewhat lower scale.
The chief priest is the first person to feed the elephant. Before feeding the animal a pooja is performed.
When?
Aanayoottu is organized in the month of Karkkidakam. Vadakkunnathan Temple organizes it on the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam; other temples organize it on various other days.
Why?
Hindus in the state are becoming more and more aware of the need to connect with their culture and traditions. So age-old customs that had become extinct in the last decades of the previous century are now being revived. Old and dilapidated temples are being resurrected to their former glory. Aanayoottu attracts thousands of devotees to the temples. Elephants that participate in their ritual are not decorated. If you want to see festooned elephants you should watch a Pooram. These unadorned elephants stand amidst people for being fed. Before the ritual begins priests worship the elephants. Once this ritual is completed, devotees can feed the tuskers with their hands. A large number of people participate in this ritual which brings man and beast extremely close to one another. The elephants are chained and their mahouts keep close watch on them. Untoward incidents are almost never reported.
Elephants are much loved and worshiped by Malayalis. Aanayoottu organized by the Vadukkunnathan Temple at Thrissur sees the highest number of elephants. Fewer elephants participate in the festival organized by other temples.
Elephants are an integral part of Kerala temple festivals. Their participation is inevitable in several other temple related rituals as well. Most temples in the state own several elephants. Hindus regard elephants as sacred animals. This has something got to do with Lord Ganesha who is depicted as an elephant headed deity with a pot belly. It is believed that worshipping elephants and feeding them is a great way to win the favor of Ganesh.
How to participate
Devotees flock to the temple to participate in this ritual and see elephants up close.
Most temples in the state now organize aanayoottu. Since this ritual takes place inside the temple premises, only Hindus can participate. The Vadakkunnathan temple at Thrissur is one of the oldest Shiva temples in South India. This temple has been organizing Aanayoottu for several years. Earlier over 50 elephants used to participate in this ritual but now a government directive has forced temple authorities to reduce their number.
The food given to the elephants include jaggery, coconut, rice, sugar cane leaves and a sweet mixture of Ganapathi Pooja offerings. The chief priest of the temple is the first person to feed the elephants.
Significance of this festival
Karkkidakam is regarded as the month of rejuvenation and revival. It is that time of the year when people rejuvenate their body through Ayurvedic treatments. Elephants being an integral part of the Kerala culture are also deemed fit for receiving this treatment. In addition to this ceremonious feeding ritual, most temples give elaborate Ayurvedic treatments to their elephants in Karkkidakam.