Adoor Gajamela is the concluding celebrations of the ten-day annual festival organized at Sree Parthasarathy temple at Adoor, Pathanamthitta district, South Kerala. This Gajamela is the celebratory event at the temple and it is organized in the month of January or February every year. In the year of 2010 the Gajamela is organized on 26th of January.

Sree Parthasarathy Temple

Sree Parthasarathy Temple of Adoor is very famous and ancient temple of the town. It is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna, known as Parthasarathy here. This name commemorates Lord Krishna becoming the charioteer (Sarathi) of Arjuna, who is known as Partha, during the Battle of Kurukshetra described in the epic of Mahabharata.

The temple is located close to the KSRTC bus stand in Adoor. It is about 25 km from Chengannur railway station and about 92 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

The temple is majestic and beautiful. It faces east and has pond in the front which enhances the temple serenity. Deity of Lord Krishna is the main deity here. There are sub deities of Shiva and Ganapathy. Formerly this temple was known as ‘Nada Sathram’, the resting place for pedestrians. Then the deity of Ganapathy was the main deity, now Ganapathy is considered as sub deity.

Celebrations:

Gajamela literally means the fair of elephants. After nine-day annual festival of the temple their comes the spectacular procession of elephants that represent the glory of the Supreme Lord Krishna.

The elephant is considered as the symbol for mighty and majesty. It is the icon of celebrations is many festivals in India from time immemorial. From the carrier of kings to head of the processions of royal brides to the defense in the king battles…elephant is synonym to royality. The elephant is also known for its gentleness and grace. All this makes elephants as the indispensable objects of divinity in festivities of Kerala.

On this day elephants numbering fifteen to hundred or more line up on the temple premises. They are colorfully decked up with mahouts atop them. They hold high tinselled silk parasols, which are also called muthukuda, swaying white tufts and peacock feather fans to the rhythm of the temple orchestra. The holy hymns of vedas are sung by the purohits and the long procession is held glorifying the Lord.