Elephants being bathed by their Mahouts near  the Kodanad Elephant Training Center; Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

A symbol of strength and prestige since ancient times, elephants were used by royalty and feudal lords to display their power. Nowadays elephants are still part of the life and cultural ethos of Kerala. People here consider this animal a harbinger of good fortune, a remover of obstacles. It is an integral and inseparable part of the religious and economic life.

The elephant’s strength and power has been effectively harnessed and put  to work, mainly for wood logging and the transportation of timber.