Rajasthan Elephants Festival

                                                Rajasthan Elephants Festival

The elephant has references in Indian mythology. As goods or Devas and the demons or Asuras churned the oceans during "sagar manthan" for the elixir of life that would make them immortal, there surfaced the "navratnas" - nine jewels. One of these jewels was the elephant.

Elephants have always occupied a pride of place among the erstwhile Rajput rulers. The Rajput rulers' use of elephants in war is legendary. War aside elephants have been an integral part of Rajasthan's royal courts and were used in royal parades. As a rule of thumb, a Rajput king would always ride on elephant.

 Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan was a much preferred place for elephant parades in honor of the royal guests. This grand spectacle of elephant parade was given a fresh lease of life courtesy Rajasthan Tourism and every year in the month of March a grand spectacle of impeccably bedecked and ornamented elephants are paraded in full public glare at Jaipur's Chaugan Stadium. The spectacular parade is followed by a bewildering array of special events like playing holi with elephants, elephant race and the amazing game of elephant polo. It is indeed party time for the elephants.
 The most amazing feature of this colorful festival is that the majority of the elephants that take part in the festivities are female of the species. Each elephant is garishly decorated from tusk to tail with charming jewelry. Their foreheads are embossed with floral decoration.

During Holi, the Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians, and onlookers from the entire globe. The festival starts with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets.
Royal Elephant CartThe echoing sound of the trumpet fills the atmosphere. A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins. The large beast is the center of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants.
 The elephant-keepers take great care to decorate the elephants by painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. The game of polo forms the highlight of the festival. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.

 Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigor-the excitement rising to a crescendo.
 Jaipur was a favourite spot with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honour elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back like shuttle taxis.
 There were deadly and furious elephant-fights in the Chaugan of polo-field, the venue of the Elephant Festival. Rajasthan Tourism recreated the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. During Holi, the festival of Colors, to acclaim the coming of Spring, the Jaipur Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians and onlookers from all the globe.
Elephants have always held an important place in the Indian society, Lord Ganesha , the Hindu deity with the head of an elephant is greatly revered and is the lord master of all ceremonies and happy beginnings. Elephants are part of many major religious ceremonies, processions and even marriage ceremonies, all primarily ceremonial roles as the era of the war elephant is now long over.
As the name suggests elephants are the centre of attraction at the Elephant Festival Jaipur. Pachyderms are washed, painted and groomed in all finery by their loving grooms or Mahouts as they are called in India. Elephants are specially decorated for the elephant festival, with chunky elephant jewellery, large anklets decked with bells grace their feet, their bodies are painted with traditional Indian motifs, gold embroidered velvet rugs grace their backs along with silver and gold plated Howdahs and gold embroidered velvet parasol’s . The large ears of the elephants are adorned with ear danglers and brightly coloured brocade scarfs. Even their tusks are ringed with gold and silver bracelets and rings. Richly embellished head-plates adorn the Elephants foreheads. The mahouts are also all dressed up in their brocade jackets and bright coloured Safa’s or turbans. At the Jaipur Elephant festival there is a prize for the best decorated Elephant and its Mahout.
In fact, Gold & Silver rings and bracelets have even found their way onto their tusks and glitzy head plates crafted in authentic Rajasthani style flow from their foreheads. Their grooms are also handsomely dressed with jackets & colored turbans matching the  the elephants. And hey, there’s a prize for the best decorated elephant and groom as well, no wonder they’re all decked up!
The elephant festival kicks off in glamorous style with the beating of the Nagara & blowing of the Bankiya as well decked up elephants, camels and horse drawn carriages join the procession. This event not only celebrates the majesty of the elephants, but also highlights
races, elephant-polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all part of this spectacular event.

History:-

The Jataka stories of Buddhism refer to the tradition of Hastimangala (the Elephant Festival). A royal mount from time immemorial, the elephant has also been a symbol of strength and wealth. For the Rajput kings, the elephants were of especial significance not only during war but also during the royal festivities-a must at royal pageant. Nishan-ka-hathi, the flag carrier, led the procession. The king always mounted a caparisoned elephant. Special hunting programs and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. Jaipur was a favorite with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honor elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back.
Rajasthan Tourism revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. The present-day pageant, originated only a decade ago, was devised especially with the tourist in mind. The inclusion of the game of polo is more recent, being inspired by a cartoon in Punch magazine that showed the Indian polo team atop an elephant after it won all the international tournaments. Every year on the day after Holi, the old stadium at Jaipur, the Chaugan (originally planned for elephants), forms the venue for a spectacular jamboree

Celebrations:-

The famous Chaugan ground of Jaipur in Rajasthan makes the perfect venue for the occasion. Elephant Festival commences with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets marching towards the ground. They greet the visitors, offer garlands to the guests and walk past the ramp before a jury of experts and tourists to select the best amongst them for the ‘Best decorated Elephant’ Shield! Different competitions are organized to enjoy the festival to its full and the arena is brought alive with musician and dancer. Witness a game of elephant polo a newly-introduced sport. Though they lack the speed and ability of the polo ponies it is great fun to watch the enormous pachyderms moving around the field after the ball in great speed. To get a feel of their true strength join your hands with the ten add people in the tug-of-war with the largest elephant. Then there is the unique ‘Gaj Shringar’ exhibition displaying everything connected with the elephant-ornaments, textiles (Jhoo) parapernalic howdahs and carriages, paintings medicines and food. Here one can enjoy seeing Elephants at their best. The Elephant keepers (mahouts) decorate their Elephants from head to toe with an exceptional care. The 'Best Decorated Elephant' contest is another feature of this cultural fest.
A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins. Elephant is the centre of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants. Most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate the elephants painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. Female elephants wear anklets with and make music as they walk.
Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigour and the excitement rising to a crescendo. A program of Dhaph and Gair dance to demonstrate the spirit of Holi and a dazzling display of fireworks complete the day leaving unforgettable memories. Come! Celebrate! You are most cordially welcome to the Elephant Festival of Rajasthan.
Although elephants are the main attraction of the festival, to add charm to the festivities, brightly bejeweled camels and horses with their masters seated on the saddle also take part in this remarkable festival. Traditional Rajasthani folk dancers enthrall the audience by their rhythmic dance
Importance of Festival:-
The festival begins with a fixed procession; while musicians play folk tunes and dancers revolve in a flurry of colours, richly caparisoned elephants march along in a procession This is followed by a 'most excellent ornamented elephant' competition, games of elephant polo, elephant races, a special 'elephant decoration' exhibition and a tug-of-war between humans and an elephant. No prizes for guessing who wins.
 All Elephants, are in graceful attire, full with glitter and gold. All the elephants attract the audience with their grand processions and ornamented trunks and tusks.
 The most visible feature of this festival is Elephant polo where, the players wear saffron and red turbans, sit on the elephants, and try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Only female elephants take part in this festival. The Festival also provides platform for the folk custom of Rajasthan. The festivities finish with performances of folk dances; with a liberal splashing of Holi colours on all and various and a fantastic display of fireworks.
 Come to the festival and watch Jaipur come alive!
 The game of polo forms the emphasize of the Elephant Festival of Jaipur. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigor-the excitement rising to a crescendo.
 Strangely, most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate the elephants - painting their trunks, foreheads and feet with floral motifs and decorating them from tusk to tail with exciting ornaments. The mahouts were employed in the Phil Khana, the department of elephant in the royal management. They played an important role until the princely state was incorporated into the Union and the department became surplus. They, however, have continued their connection with the elephants.
 
How it is celebrate Elephant Festival:-

The exclusive range of upcoming fairs and festivals Rajasthan consists of several cheerful events. Elephant polo, Elephant dance along with the eye-catching procession of aesthetically adorned horses, camels and folk dancers wins the heart of many visitors.
Elephant festival included in the Rajasthan festival list also embrace events like tug of war, worship of Elephant as Lord of Ganesha and much more activities performed by the locals.

What people do on Elephant Festival:-

Elephant festival is marked in the list of festivals of Rajasthan in March which includes many events. The festival has many things to do for tourists where they can treat their eyes with glorious visual sights of bedecked elephants with gulaal sprinkled over their head. Apart from sightseeing tourist can enjoy special tours in Rajasthan and take along with them some of the souvenirs from festival though shopping. Last but not the least, mouth-watering cuisine on the special occasion can also be the main attraction

How to Reach:-    
 
Air:- 
The Jaipur Airport is called Sanganer Airport. There are domestic flight connections to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur. There is a single international flight to Dubai.

Train : -

 Connections are from Delhi, Agra, Mumbai ,Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad. Well connected from other states like UP, MP.

Road : -

 A convenient mode of travel to Jaipur is by road. Regular bus service of AC and Deluxe Coaches are available