Temple rituals have fascinating origins!
Here is the story of how the 1982 Asian Games started a temple ritual that continues to this day.
A thread 🧵
Here is the story of how the 1982 Asian Games started a temple ritual that continues to this day.
A thread 🧵
Here's some context: Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, hosts the vibrant Thrissur Pooram festival annually at the Vadakkunathan Temple.
It takes place when the moon aligns with the Pooram star in the Malayalam month of Medam, typically around May.
It takes place when the moon aligns with the Pooram star in the Malayalam month of Medam, typically around May.
The Pooram event in Thrissur (kerala) features a stunning spectacle of over 50 decorated elephants adorned with nettipattam (golden headdress), intricately crafted Kolam, ornate bells, and other ornaments.
In 1976, India was awarded the games. However, due to various reasons (ahem! *cough* Emergency *cough*) preparations for building stadiums and other infrastructure only began in 1979.
The mascot chosen for the games was Appu, an elephant.
The mascot chosen for the games was Appu, an elephant.
It was decided that during the opening ceremony of 1982 Asian Games, elephants would be paraded along with other cultural forms from all over India to showcase India's diversity.
Some of Thrissur's famous elephants were chosen for this task.
Some of Thrissur's famous elephants were chosen for this task.
34 elephants were selected to be paraded across India for 1982 Asian Games' opening ceremony.
Nine of these elephants belonged to the Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur, and others were from the Thrissur temple.
Transporting 30+ elephants from Kerala to Delhi was no small feat, just 2600+ kms.
Nine of these elephants belonged to the Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur, and others were from the Thrissur temple.
Transporting 30+ elephants from Kerala to Delhi was no small feat, just 2600+ kms.
To test transportation of elephants for Asian Games, a trial run was conducted between Thrissur & Ernakulam with just 2 elephants.
This prompted the Kerala government to transport all 34 elephants to Delhi.
This prompted the Kerala government to transport all 34 elephants to Delhi.
During the opening ceremony of 1982 Asian Games, 34 elephants from Kerala were chosen to be paraded across India to showcase India's diversity.
On Nov 1, 1982, Kerala's CM K. Karunakaran flagged off a 28-wagon train carrying 34 elephants, 112 mahouts, 80 standard-bearers, 6 vets, & 21 policemen on its 3011 km journey from Thrissur to Delhi!
On Nov 1, 1982, Kerala's CM K. Karunakaran flagged off a 28-wagon train carrying 34 elephants, 112 mahouts, 80 standard-bearers, 6 vets, & 21 policemen on its 3011 km journey from Thrissur to Delhi!
For Asian Games opening ceremony, a 28-wagon train carrying elephants, mahouts, standard-bearers, vets, & policemen left from Thrissur on Nov 1, 1982.
The journey ended on Nov 8 at Tughlakabad station.
Given the "cargo", the train traveled at a speed of 18kmph for 164 hours!
The journey ended on Nov 8 at Tughlakabad station.
Given the "cargo", the train traveled at a speed of 18kmph for 164 hours!
The 164-hour train journey from Thrissur to Delhi for the 1982 Asian Games was an ordeal for 34 elephants accustomed to daily walks!
But, there was no shortage of food: each elephant consumed 250 palm leaves & drank 100 liters of water daily!
Only 4 elephants managed to sleep, & 8 needed sedatives due to travel-induced fear 😢
But, there was no shortage of food: each elephant consumed 250 palm leaves & drank 100 liters of water daily!
Only 4 elephants managed to sleep, & 8 needed sedatives due to travel-induced fear 😢
The Kerala Govt. spent Rs 38 lakh on the rail journey and Rs 15 lakh on other expenses.
Each elephant, priced at ~Rs 1,00,000, was insured for Rs 30 lakh for the Delhi trip.
The mahouts and jewellery were insured for another Rs 40 lakh.
Each elephant, priced at ~Rs 1,00,000, was insured for Rs 30 lakh for the Delhi trip.
The mahouts and jewellery were insured for another Rs 40 lakh.
You can watch the opening ceremony from Asiad 1982 here.
After the successful parade at the Asian Games' opening ceremony, the elephants returned via a similarly circuitous, slow route.
This journey made many of the elephants sick & weak.
To aid recovery, "Anayoottu" was organized at the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple, where the elephants were fed special nutritious food!
This journey made many of the elephants sick & weak.
To aid recovery, "Anayoottu" was organized at the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple, where the elephants were fed special nutritious food!
And this is how the Anayoottu (feeding the elephants) festival started in Thrissur.
The festival falls on the first day of the month of Karkkidakam (timed against the Malayalam calendar), which coincides with the month of July.
The festival falls on the first day of the month of Karkkidakam (timed against the Malayalam calendar), which coincides with the month of July.
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