Paripally Gajamela is an annual festival observed in the southern Indian state of Kerala which is held at Kodimootil Sree Bhadrakali Temple which is characterised by a beautiful elephant pageant. The term `Gajamela` is obtained from two words `Gajam` which implies elephant in the Malayalam language and `Mela` means fair. On the 10th day of this festive event, a grand elephant parade is organised which involves over 50 elephants and this parade in Paripally town located in Thiruvananthapuram. Innumerable tourists visit Kerala to witness this popular and interesting event. The festival is conducted in the period from February to March and is said to be amongst the most important temple festivals of Kerala.
Thousands of pilgrims offer the elephants to Goddess Bhadrakali in the temple of this Goddess as it is believed that doing so would usher in wealth, good luck and prosperity to them. `Nerch` is the name of the main ritual which is associated with this festival. Beautifully caparisoned elephants move in an organised procession which presents a unique view to all the assembled spectators. `Mahouts` or keepers of these elephants are mounted on the backs of the attractively dressed up and decorated elephants, which carry `muthukuda` or silk parasols and swaying `venchamaram` or white tufts, in accordance to the temple orchestra.
Five musical instruments or `panchvadyam` are employed to accompany the musical rhythm of the event and this represents the `kudamattam` rite. This ritual implies altering the positions of the parasols on top of the tuskers. During Paripally Gajamela festival, various kinds of cultural programmes are conducted throughout the entire nights. Numerable people participate in these events.
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