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| Elephant Festival Jaipur |
Being addicted to celebrations, I have been fascinated by the royal festivities, pageants and beautiful processions. And while
holidaying in Jaipur, the elephants definitely become an exciting element of the celebrations. Elephants have always been a symbol of strength and wealth to me, and when I came to know that Jaipur devotes one complete day for
'Elephant Festival', I could not resist myself for visiting the Chaugan ground. Moreover, I convinced all my friends as well to accompany me as well. Chaugan ground was the place which was going to host the festival the very next day.
The Elephant Festival is held in the month of March, on the eve of Holi - the festival of colors. People celebrate Holi by throwing water balloons, coloured water and Abir/Gulal (colored powder) on each other.
People in Rajasthan give a warm welcome to the spring with Elephant Festival. The entire
Chaugan ground was alive with dancers, musicians, elephants and onlookers from around the world. As the festival started, the audience was greeted with an impressive procession of the majestic elephants lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets. These processions, including elephants, camels and horses, cover almost all the major streets of Jaipur. The hard work of mahouts (elephant keepers) for decorating the elephants, painting their trunks, foreheads and feet with floral motifs, and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets was clearly depicted there. The caparisoned elephants, accompanied by lancers on
horses, chariots, camels, cannons and palanquins, form the most important attraction of the festival.
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| Jaipur Festival |
During the festival, the elephants greeted the visitors, offered garlands to the guests and walked past the ramp before a jury of experts. The judges selected the best amongst them for the title of 'Best Decorated Elephant'. Next programme was the catwalk by the female elephants before an enthralled audience. These female elephants wear wear anklets, which make music as they walk. In the olden times, special hunting programs on elephant back and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. The festival, obviously, had nothing to do with hunting programmes, but what we enjoyed most were the elephant races, elephant-polo matches and tug of war between elephants and men. The game of polo was the highlight of the festival. The teams, dressed in saffron and red turbans, were trying to score goals with long sticks and a plastic ball. It was superb. I wish I could have volunteered to join in and be a part of the game, but being an amateur I did not even think about it.
An outstanding display of fireworks brought the festival to a colorful and memorable end. We also enjoyed traditional music and dance at the floor. The best among them was the 'Ghair', in which the women swirl in unison to rhythmic beats. The spectacular event was truly the day of the pachyderm.
