And perhaps this characteristic of our society is what makes us stand out. The Aanayoottu festival was created to preserve the reverence of these historic customs and rites, which show a special link between man and animal. This Hindu festival in Kerala is a traditional celebration of elephants and is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur.
The celebration is linked to the changing of the seasons as well as the state's religious values. The origin of this festival is greatly influenced by the typical rains. Why should the animals remain behind as people shift their diets around the planet as it rains?
This festival is special because of the complexity of the culture involved. The Karkidakam, or rainy season, when the monsoons are ending, is the precise time when it is observed. Karkidakam, hailed as the month of regeneration, has origins in the age-old art and science of Ayurveda. On July 16, 2020, the wildly popular Aanayoottu Festival will take place.
The Ayurvedic Connection in the History of the Aanayoottu Festival
Ayurveda is closely associated with Kerala. This ceremonial practise dates back a thousand years and is connected to the state's Vedic culture. The three body doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—are traditionally thought to be rather helpfully balanced by the study of Ayurveda. It is thought that, if properly cared for, our bodies naturally handle these doshas much better during the monsoon season. Hence, Keralites follow a specific eating plan during the monsoon season to preserve the body's internal systems.
Important Aanayoottu Festival Attractions
1.Karkidakam - A Month of Renewal. The Karkidakam, or month of regeneration, begins after the seasonal reversal of winds and the monsoon's bursting. It is thought that the monsoon season transitions into its final phase during this month. According to the Hindu calendar, Lord Shiva is the focus of this month. Also, individuals fast to worship Bholenath in both Northern and Southern India.
The Aanayoottu Festival is a continuation of Kerala's long-standing Ayurveda customs. The conclusion of the rainy season, known as Karkidakam, is also the ideal time to condition the animals.
The festival is selected to feed the elephants as a sign of respect to Lord Ganesha. Love and care are given to these gentle giants.
In addition to specific mixtures made of sugarcane, rice, ghee, coconut, and the Ganapathi puja prasad with ayurvedic medications for detoxifying their systems, they are fed the appropriate proportions of delicacies inspired by Ayurveda.
To please Lord Ganesha, the God of new beginnings and the remover of all hurdles, is another reason to distribute all the food on the Gajaraj.
2. The Gajaraj Link and Gajamukhi. Hindu mythology holds elephants in high regard. Also, there is a long-standing legendary link between Ganesha and elephants. One well-known mystic legend of Ganesha's beginnings is the one where he is said to have an elephant head. The celebration has been associated with Ganesha as a kind gesture to mark the change of seasons and maintain the physical well-being of the elephants.
3. The Aanayoottu Festival celebration. In Kerala, people love elephants. When a large group of people congregates to feed them, you get to observe a different side of human behaviour. Once inside the temple, the pachyderms are properly lined up in queues. Many of people come here solely to feed the animals in front of them because it is said that doing so will please Lord Ganesha. The ritualistic action serves as both a purifying dietary routine for them and a symbol of the eradication of all negativity from their lives.