55 elephants, 500 kg apples and rice: Kerala's biggest Aanayoottu returns to Thrissur tomorrow

Thrissur: Kerala's largest elephant feeding ceremony (Aanayoottu) is all set to take place at the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple on July 17, marking the beginning of the Malayalam month of Karkidakam. Around 55 elephants are expected to line up inside the temple grounds for the annual Aanayoottu, a unique event where devotees gather to feed elephants and seek blessings.

Unlike temple festivals where elephants appear in elaborate ceremonial attire, Aanayoottu offers a rare opportunity to see the majestic animals in their natural form. With no golden ornaments or percussion performances, the focus remains entirely on the elephants, making the event one of Kerala's most distinctive temple traditions. If monsoon showers accompany the gathering, the temple courtyard transforms into one of the state's most picturesque sights.

The long line of elephants stretching across the temple premises, coupled with thousands of devotees, will make the annual gathering one of Thrissur's biggest attractions outside the famous Thrissur Pooram.

What will the elephants be fed?

The menu prepared for the elephants is massive.

Organisers have arranged around 500 kg each of apples, grapes, sugarcane, Robusta bananas, small bananas, watermelon and cucumber. In addition, nearly 500 kg of cooked rice will be prepared. Every elephant will receive 10 rice balls, mixed with traditional herbal ingredients including Ashta Choornam and other medicinal preparations. They will also be served bundles of sugarcane, while nearly 2,000 kg of grass has been arranged for the animals.

Popular elephants to participate

Several well-known elephants with dedicated fan followings are expected to participate in this year's event. Among them are Puthuppally Kesavan, Ernakulam Sivakumar, Puthuppally Saadhu, Ukkens Kunju, Paramekkavu Kasinathan, Kuttankulangara Arjunan and Bastian Vinayasundar. Elephants from the Guruvayur Devaswom are also expected to join, including around seven female elephants, with Thiruvambady Lakshmikutty among them.

Temple preparations in full swing

Preparations at Vadakkumnathan Temple have entered the final phase. Barricades separating elephants from devotees have already been installed, while ramps and crowd management arrangements are nearing completion. The elephant feeding ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9 am on Friday.

One of the biggest attractions every year is the opportunity for devotees to personally offer a ball of rice or a fruit to an elephant.

Mahaganapathi Homam before the elephant feast

The day's rituals will begin much earlier with a Mahaganapathi Homam at 5 am.

The offering will use 10,008 coconuts, 2,000 kg of flattened rice (avil), 2,000 kg of jaggery, 350 kg of puffed rice, 60 kg of sesame seeds and 50 kg of honey. Sugarcane, lemons, grapes, rock sugar, dry ginger powder and cumin powder will also be part of the ritual offerings.

Heavy security, drone ban in place

Thrissur City Police have announced extensive security measures for the event, expecting nearly 2.5 lakh people to attend.

Anti-sabotage squads, medical response teams, Fire and Rescue Services, specialised elephant squads and crime prevention units will be deployed across the temple premises. City Police Commissioner Nakul R. Deshmukh has urged visitors to follow traffic and security instructions issued by police personnel.

Authorities have also banned the use of drones in and around the Vadakkumnathan Temple and Thekkinkadu Maidan on the day of the event.