The Dancing Elephant

Elephants in temple courtyards have been a familiar sight in my life, from childhood to adulthood. The simple act of handing over a few pennies in exchange for blessings is still practised in many south Indian temples. Never understood how this beautiful, innocent being, who can also be the craziest, ended up in the midst of human insanity. As an explorer, I found myself arriving in the middle of more than 30 eldest, youngest, wildest, naughtiest, and cutest Gaints on my trip to Thrissur. Elephants on chains distress everyone, but I wonder if I ever asked myself why they are here, what is their story? Are they looked after, or do they suffer from abuse? Are the mahouts wonderful people? Sho...View all