Over 70 elephants lined up in a row at the ancient Hindu temple of Sree Vadakkumnathan in Thrissur, India's state of Kerala, to be worshipped and fed, today (July 17).

The Aanayoottu ceremony takes place yearly and bases its principles on Ayurveda, an alternative medicine system. The ritual has been held for 41 years, and the 2023 edition signifies another milestone.

Elephants are sacred in India and believed to be an incarnation of Ganesha: feeding them is considered an auspicious act.

This year, the animals were fed 500 kg of rice with ghee, jaggery, and turmeric powder. Elephants were also given fruits and sugar cane along with specially prepared Ayurveda medicines.

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‘Aanayoottu’ and ‘Asthtadravya Mahaganapathi Homam’ ritual, meant to propitiate Lord Ganesha, were held at Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, on Monday, the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam. More than 70 elephants participated in the feast. This is the 41st year that Aanayoottu festival held .

Elephants from all parts of Kerala were part of the ceremony

The tusker was welcomed with claps and joyous cries, even as many used the opportunity to photograph the giant tusker. For the 'Aanayoott'u ceremony

The Thekkinkadu Maidan was packed to capacity and the event resembled a miniature Thrissur Pooram. The only difference was that the elephants had lined up without accoutrements for the Aanayoottu. Children were seen perched on their parents’ shoulders to catch a glimpse of the majestic animals.

To kick off the eating marathon, temple Melsanthi Payyappilly Madhavan Namboodiri offered rice balls to elephant Lakshmikutty by 9 a.m. Aanayoottu was held after the Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathi Homam and Gaja Puja. Soon, people started competing with each other to feed the elephants. In no time, the animals polished off 500 kg rice, laced with ghee, jaggery, and turmeric powder. They were also given fruits and sugar cane along with specially prepared Ayurveda medicines.

By 50 priests
The Aanayoottu ceremony was insured for ₹1 crore. Stringent security was arranged for the function. A feast was served for around 7,000 devotees. Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam was performed by 50 priests led by temple Tantri Puliyannur Sankaranarayanan Namboodiri. In all, 10,008 coconuts, 3,500 kg jaggery, 1,500 kg avil, 300 kg malar, 100 kg sesame, 75 kg honey, sugar cane and lemon were used for puja. As it was holiday for schools and offices, a record crowd witnessed the event.

Devaswom Minister K. Radhakrishnan, Cochin Devaswom Board president M.K. Sudharshan, and District Collector V.R. Krishna Teja participated in the Aanayoottu ritual.