A head-lifting competition was held for two elephants at a temple in South India on January 22.

Temple elephants Puthupalli Kesavan and Anandapadmanabhan were decked-up and ceremoniously brought to the front yard, where they stood facing the deity.

In the contest that lasts for seven minutes, the elephants are required lift their heads and keep them elevated. The one who lifts the head higher and keeps it elevated longer is declared winner by a jury.

At Cherai temple, Kesavan won defeating Anandapadmanabhan easily. While Kesavan kept his head elevated and steady, Anandapadmanabhan could do so only sporadically.

The winner was given the honour of carrying the idol of the deity.

The duel was witnessed by thousands of devotees who cheered both the contestants.

Head-lifting competitions for elephants are very popular. Many temples in Kerala organise them and only the best elephants are invited to take part.

But animal right critics slam these contests saying they force elephants to keep their heads in an unnatural position.

The elephants are also tortured by mahuts who train them to lift their heads, they say.