Elephant
Festivals of
Rajasthan
Desert Festival
Jaisalmer ||
Elephant Festival
|| Gangaur Festival ||
Pushkar Fair
There wouldn't be a
better time to travel to Rajasthan than during festival time.
The Elephant Festival of Jaipur is a unique event held annually
in the capital of the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Held
during Holi, the festival of colors, to herald the advent of
Spring, the Jaipur Chaugan or polo field is brought alive with
elephants, dancers, music ians and onlookers from all the globe.
Groomed to perfection, glittering in gold, row upon row of
elephants catwalk before an enthralled audience. The elephants
move gracefully in procession, run races, play the regal game of
polo.
The echoing sound of the bankiya (trumpet) fills the atmosphere.
A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants,
lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins.
The large beast is the center of attraction in the many races
and beauty pageants.
Strangely, 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. The mahouts were employed in the Phil
Khana, the department of elephant in the royal administration.
They played an important role until the princely state was
incorporated into the Union and the department because
redundant. They, however, have continued their association with
the elephants.
The game of polo forms the highlight of the Elephant Festival of
Jaipur. 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-the excitement rising to a
crescendo.
The Elephant Festival is the specialty of the state of
Rajasthan. Like the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, the Elephant
Festival of Jaipur has become a major draw for the tourists
during their travel and tour. Given the importance of the
elephant in the socio-cultural milieu of the state of Rajasthan,
tourists can rest assured that they are in for some great Indian
festivities and fun in Jaipur. |