Impressive elephant pageantry is an important part of the famous festivals of Kerala. Pachyderms are considered auspicious in the State. Elephants have an important role in the cultural life of Kerala. There is hardly any place in the world where elephants are loved, revered and groomed like Kerala. Several temples in Kerala groom one or more elephants for ritualistic purposes

In olden times a ‘pet elephant’ was quite common in aristocratic families. Since elephants are inevitable for the festivals of Kerala, tamed ones are reared at several temples. In major temples pachyderms are also needed for some daily rituals

Elephants are titled in Kerala as the State animal and treated with much respect.

The Guruvayoor temple in the Thrissur district of Kerala runs an elephant sanctuary where elephants donated to the temple by devotees are housed. Punnathoorkotta, the centre, attracts large number of pachyderm lovers and tourists

Travellers to Kerala can also visit Kodanand  and, two villages where baby elephants are domesticated