Elephants

Our machetes continued to hack through the jungle in hopes to see the rare but beautiful Kerala elephant. The humidity was thick, and sweat pored out like a leaky faucet. My two guides Regi and Sajiv stopped for a moment. Regi held out his hand, and motioned for me to stay still. My breathing was heavy, and my body was tired, and I only hoped if a fierce jungle creature attacked that I would have the stamina to fight it off. Regi, the older guide, continued to listen to the jungle. Sajiv, the younger guide, decided to take a drink from the canteen. Regi gave Sajiv a stern look at first, but then smiled as this young pup was unable to keep up with the older veteran. Once I sensed Regi was satisfied we were not about to be attacked, I asked about the animal noises and cries that he heard. Regi only looked at Sajiv gravely, and while Sajiv looked down somberly screwing the cap back on the canteen, Regi whispered, "It's best if you don't know."

With a sense of foreboding and emanate doom in my heart and soul, we pressed on through the jungle hacking our way into some unknown oblivion. The hours passed, and complete exhaustion set in. I could tell even Regi was getting fatigued, and  we would have to camp for the night only to be ravaged by an infinite number of crawling or flying bugs that easy devoured through human tissue. At that moment, I thought about ending my life as the dead feel no pain. My moment of ultimate despair was short lived as we heard the rustling of trees. Only a truly large beast could make the trees move from their ancient roots. The three of us looked at each other, the exhaustion dissipated into the energy of terror and curiosity. Rather than running, we moved toward the sound as any foolish mortal would.

After a few minutes, the jungle opened up inviting us into it's darky depths. The trees were gigantic with a thick canopy that deflected all sunlight. The number of sounds increased, there were grunts, snorts and the occasional bellow. I could sense the anticipation. The Kerala elephant was near. Only a few more moments, and I would see what many will never see.  A sight so grand and spectacular, each second of visage would be remembered forever. We moved forward, and the canopy magically gave way to the sunlight, and with another few paces we were in a clearing and there before us was an entire heard of Kerala Elephants. My joy would never reach such heights, and yet something was wrong. There were other creatures that stirred around the massive beast. I edged further into the clearing in hopes to get a closer look of the spectacle. Regi and Sajiv pleaded for me to stay under cover, but I had to see the spectacle up close. I had to see the glory and beauty...wait...that creature stirring around the elephant...it's not an ordinary creature...my joy turned to complete disappointement as the grandeur of these incredible beasts were was thwarted by the trainer that led them around like a pet dog trained to obey its master. I looked back at Regi and Sajiv. They only smiled. Apparently, I had just bought the Brooklyn Bridge along with a pass to the Elephant Sanctuary (Punnathur kotta) near the Guruvayur Temple. I decided to make the best of things, and take some pics of these great beasts.

 

 

As we continued to walk around the Elephant Sanctuary, we passed the god being worshipped at the temple. The god didn't say much, but if you look deep into it's eyes, you would swear it's eyes were following you around...very spooky.

 

The trainers have very close relationships with with their animals. It takes about 3 trainers per elephant. As you can see, the trainers are very comfortable around their elephant. This trainer appears to be doing a foot massage as the elephant appears very relaxed with a satisfied grin.

 

When Regi and Sajiv told the trainers about tricking me into 3 hours of machete swinging just to see a park full of Elephants, the trainers told their elephant companions, and the elephants didn't hold back their sense of humor when I was around. They could not stop laughing.

 

The trainers also teach the elephants different dances for ceremonial events. This elephant is showing much agility and balance doing a dance move even Brittney Spears would envy.

 

After, 3 hours being in a hot humid jungle swinging a machete, this guy asked if I was next in line for a bath.

 

Some elephants prefer showers over baths.

 

I did managed to get Regi and Sajiv close enough to an elephant to get my revenge though. One of the trainers said this elephant was a man eater. Once again, the joke was on me, and I was 100 rupees poorer.

 

One special surprise is that there was a temple feeding being held where most of the elephants are paraded around the central square to please the gods. If a patron at the temple pays 6,000 rupees, a special feeding will take place where the elephants get special treats, and the temple gets the money. I guess the patron gets the satisfaction that someone other than himself was pleased.

 

The special treat consists of one bunch of bananas of  about 20 bananas, which is one mouthful. After the sweet treat, the trainer creates a large ball of rice from a large bucket of rice, and drops the large morsel into the elephants large mouth. I noticed that being around elephants everything seems to be large.

The largest elephant, almost 11 feet tall,  was in a special location in the square and it was fed first. I tried to get it's attention by acting like a ripe banana, but a trainer came up to me and asked if I had insurance coverage. So, I took this picture instead.

 

While the feeding ceremony was talking place, a stealthy elephant sneaked up behind me. I think it wanted to scare me to make all the other elephants laugh at me some more, but it got distracted by the large ball of rice.

 

The trainers said that each elephant has it's own personality, and there are attacks on trainers from time to time.  One trainer is still in the hospital after tusk wounds to both shoulders. But the trainers love their work, and the elephant becomes a family member over time. A few scientist come to the sanctuary to write books on the relationship between trainers and elephants. There are over 60 elephants in the sanctuary, and most of them are bulls as they are used for ceremonies. The trainers told us that the Kerala Elephant is the most desired looking elephant in the world. It has a broad face, arched back, long trunk and thick tusks. They are truly spectacular.

 

To find out more. Here is a good link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guruvayoor