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The elephant has references in Indian mythology. As
goods or Devas and the demons or Asuras churned the
oceans during "sagar manthan" for the elixir of life
that would make them immortal, there surfaced the "navratnas"
- nine jewels. One of these jewels was the elephant.
The elephant is therefore absolutely precious, to be
preserved and protected as jewels are.
Every year on the day after Holi, the old Chaugan
Stadium of Jaipur is geared up for the wondrous
Elephant Festival. Elephants are preened and groomed
to perfection. Horses and camels are also attended
to with elaborate care. Elephants, bejewelled and in
all their splendour, perform catwalk before hordes
of audiences. Rows after rows of elephants appear
and maneuver along the course. As onlookers and
sightseers continue to applaud, the scene becomes
even more enchanting. The elephants walk in grace,
compete in races and also partake in the regal game
of polo. Most of the participants are female
elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great
care to decorate the elephants painting their
trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and
adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting
trinkets. Female elephants wear anklets with and
make music as they walk. The game of polo forms the
highlight of the festival. Dressed in saffron and
red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long
sticks and a plastic football. Finally, the tourists
are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi.
Participants dance with great vigor and the
excitement rising to a crescendo. |
