During Holi,the Chougan stadium in Jaipur comes alive with the elephant festival.The city of Jaipur has always been synonymous with elephants.In the bygone era,the royal processions featured the Maharaja sitting on a gold and silver’howda’placed on the back of the most favourite elephant.The scores of other elephants tastefully decorated with dazzling ornaments and gold embroidered velvet jhalars followed the royal elephant.
As the name suggests.the festival revolves around the popular pachyderm and it is dedicated to them.Groomed to perfection,glittering in gold,row upon row of elephants,catwalk before an enthralled audience.The elephants moves gracefully in procession,run races,play the regal game of polo,and finaaly participate in the spring festival of holi.In between,all the lovable pachyderms greet the visitors,offer garland to the guests and walk past the ramps before the jury of experts and tourist to get the best among them selected for the ‘best decorated elephant’ shield.
