Festivals in Kerala are grand affairs; from majestic parades featuring at times more than 20 caparisoned elephants to over three million gathering for a religious activity at a single place.
Known for their pomp and pageantry, the temple festivals are occasions when the characteristic simplicity of Kerala lifestyle is put on suspended animation and the average Malayali goes all out to stage a show bound to impress one and all.
Travel.india.com lists three temple festivals to look for in February-March.
Guruvayur Temple Elephant Race
It’s the elephant equivalent of the Pampalona Bull Run and minus the blood and gore. Anayottam or elephant race marks the beginning of the annual festival at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. Celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March), this year it falls on February 23.
No gold medals or wreath honours awaits the winner. The winner will have the honour of carrying the Thidambu (the replica of the idol of Guruvayoorappan) on all special occasions for one year.
The Guruvayur temple is one of the most renowned temples and the honour of being the Lord’s Favourite Mount carries much more prestige, atleast for their handlers.
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