How elephants are brought to Tamil Nadu temples

In temples, elephants can be used in rituals, processions and festivals. They may stand near the shrine or participate in ceremonial occasions and are often expected to interact with devotees. Some are also taken out for public appearances. Representative file image. | Photo credit: M. Srinath

Nothing illustrates more poignantly the exalted position once enjoyed by temple elephants and their subsequent fall than the story of Kesavan – the elephant of the Adi Kesava Perumal temple in Kanniyakumari’s Thiruvattar – who is the protagonist of Jeyamohan’s Mathagam.

A favorite of the king, even though he was a prince, Kesavan had developed a sense of his own special position. Even his chief mahout was afraid to order him. The mahout’s emaciated leg, a result of Kesavan’s fury, testifies to what the elephant was capable of. But the day the king died, Kesavan became just another animal, a slave to humans. The elephant that had once inspired fear and awe now meekly extended its leg to help the mahout climb onto its back.

Published – 8 Nov 2026 05:44 IST