May festivals: India’s Elephant Procession

Held in the Malayam month of Medam in April/May, in the city of Thrissur in the state of Kerala, the annual Pooram elephant procession is a remarkable sight. Dating from around 200 years ago, the parade consists of two teams of beautifully decorated elephants. A man then stands on the back of each elephant holding a parasol which is even taller than the elephant itself, while a second man waves a yak-tail fan. The men then exchange their parasols whilst standing on the elephants to the sounds of the temple orchestra. The night ends with a spectacular firework show.