Guruvayur Temple hosts traditional elephant race in Thrissur

Kerala's renowned Guruvayur Temple held its annual elephant race on Monday, heralding the beginning of a 10-day-long festival dedicated to Lord Krishna.

The elephant race, locally known as 'Anayottam', marks the beginning of the annual Guruvayur festival in Kerala's Thrissur District.

Devotees from across the state thronged the temple in large numbers to witness the event. The event is a hit among foreign tourists as well.

As part of the race, elephants have to run for half a kilometre till the eastern entrance of the temple. After entering the temple, the elephant is supposed to take a full round of the sanctum sanctorum and then only it is declared a winner.

Every year, tourists arrive at the temple and watch the spectacle. The winning elephant gets the honour of carrying the miniature representation of the presiding deity of Lord Guruvayurappan.

This year, 49-year-old elephant Kesavan Kutty, a three-time winner, once again won the coveted title.