Elephants crossing the Edachal channel of the Ashtamudi Laketo participate in the traditional elephant show organised inconnection with the annual festival of the Pezhumthuruthu Bhagawathytemple. Since the temple is on an island, this had been the traditionalroute for the elephants. The mammoth parade is watched withreligious fervour by thousands from the banks of the lake. Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
The Aanavaalpidi (catching the elephant’s tail) ritualorganised in connection with the annual festival of the UmayanallurSri Balasubramanyaswamy Temple. The ritual depicts the childhoodpranks of Lord Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan. Photo : C. Suresh Kumar
The Kettukazhcha ritual (a colourfully decorated float erectedon two country boats), organised in connection with the annual festivalof the Thrikadavur Mahadevar temple, being sailed through the AshtamudiLake. Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
The Chamayavilakku ritual organised in connection with the annualfestival of the Chavara Kottankulangara Devi temple. Men dress as women to perform this ritual and are called “purushangamars”. Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
The Garudanthookku ritual organised in connection with theannual “Pathamudayam” festival of the Sree Mulankadakam Devi temple. Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
The Perumon Therukettu ritual in progress. The ritual isorganised in connection with the annual festival of the PerumonBhadrakali temple. Devotees believe that seeing the towering Theruis auspicious. Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
The Kettukazhcha ritual organised in connection with theannual Malakuda festival of the Peruvuruthy Malanada Temple. This isthe only temple in Kerala with Duryodana as the presiding deity. Photo: C. Suresh Kumar