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The Elephant Festival is an inimitable event held annually
in Jaipur. Groomed flawlessly,
rows of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled
audience liked best fashion models to make this festival
an amazing one. The elephants move with poise in pageant,
run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate
in the spring festival of Holi. It is festival time with
elephants typically celebrated one day before the Holi,
Indian festival of colours.
Staged at Jaipur Chaugan Stadium elephants put up a variety
programme and the arena is brought alive with musician
and dancer. The crowd, which includes sizable presences
of foreign and Indian tourist, electrify the atmosphere.
The festival starts with an impressive procession of the
majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired
with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets. There
are deadly and fierce elephant fights. |
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A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned
elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels,
cannons, and palanquins. Elephant is the centre
of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants.
Most of the participants are female elephants. The
mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate
the elephants painting their trunks, foreheads,
and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from
tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. Female elephants
wear anklets with and make music as they walk.The
game of polo forms the highlight of the festival.
Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try
to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.
Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants
and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigour
and the excitement rising to a crescendo.
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