Faces of India – 262 Mahout with Elephant in Sringeri
Mahout with Elephant in Sringeri
He is a mahout in Sringeri, a mutt of Adi Shankaracharya. The temple has 2 elephants and a bull. Pilgrims visiting this temple rush to get blessed by the elephants and offer food and coins to the elephant. The mahout standing close to the elephants makes the pilgrims brave enough to bow their head in reverence to the elephant. The elephant on his part places the trunk on the devotees’ head as a gesture of blessing.
Mahouts are made responsible about everything related to the elephants. Some of the recommendations agreed upon by mahouts as practically possible:
- Make elephant walk on mud tracks, wherever possible
- Not to let the animal stand in one place for many hours
- Vary activity to alleviate boredom
- To control types of food given
I will forever be deprived of this blessing because I have no courage to bow to this giant how much ever gentle he may seem to be. What about you?
Faces of India,
Faces of India is a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country whom I met during my travels. I bring back souvenirs, frozen moments from my travels, why not some memories of people I have met and interacted during the travels. Faces of India is a weekly series in my blog since MARCH 2011. See more here…
Mahout with Elephant in Sringeri
The stern expression means business!
Very determined face of India 🙂
Nice pic
Very beautiful portrait!
Lovely 🙂 Especially the elephant in the background.
Although I’m scare of elephants from childhood, I have taken couple of blessing from the elephant during temple visits. I felt like falling down when the trunk touch my head. Btw. This is a nice capture and liked the texture of the elephant.
Nice picture
Great capture, but I’m also not sure about letting an elephant put its trunk on my head.
Elephants are huge. I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to go near them.
I have got blessings from him many times. 🙂
Interesting. This happens outside a temple in Pondicherry too.
I would hv love to see elephant ☺☺ love them. Nice portrait though.
This is a very common sight in Karnataka and Kerala, but an elephant with a bell around its neck always makes me feel sad.
Hmmm such acts … Me too in the same side as you
I am as scared as you are, will never go anywhere near them!
This time his work is more appreciative than his face !!
Les cornacs sont des hommes qui m’inspirent le respect , à savoir maîtriser les éléphants dont chacun sait qu’ils sont dans les plus gros animaux existants sur terre. Il leur faut, courage, intelligence et savoir-faire. Je pense aussi qu’ils doivent aimer leurs éléphants. Le portrait de cet home est superbement réussi. Amitiés.
Roger
These animals are well trained. No need to get scared
I will definitely freak out!! 🙂
I dont like the idea of elephants in captivity hence…..
As much as I love elephants, I’m always sceptical to go anywhere close! 🙂
Keeping a distance from him is wise in my opinion… unless one is very daring..!