Caparisoned elephants attract visitors to temple festival in Kerala

Domestic and foreign tourists thronged Kerala to see caparisoned elephants and traditional colourful dance, as the temple festival, 'Thaipooyam', was celebrated with religious pageantry at Koorkancherry Sree Maheswara Temple in Thrissur district amid drum beats and procession.

Main attractions of the festival were decorated elephants and traditional dance, 'Kavadis', which enthralled the visitors.

People of the region revelled in the celebrations as other temples and houses were also decorated.

"A lot of people come here to see this festival with main attraction being the decorated Kavadis (traditional dance), elephant parades and other cultural programmes. It's a seven-day long programme, which starts with flag hoisting ceremony and every day cultural programmes," said a temple committee member, Komalan.

Thaipooyam festival is celebrated in the name of Lord Subrahmanya, son of god Shiva. On this day, special rituals are also organised.

Another major attraction was 'Kavadiattam' or dancing with floral arrangements made on wooden frames. The item is about six to 10 feet high and is carried by men on their shoulders.