Looking for a place to witness some jumbo fun? Look no further than the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary in Kerala! Sprawling over 11.5 acres of green foliage, this sanctuary is home to more than 60 majestic elephants who are the stars of the show here. These gentle giants are well taken care of and are trained to participate in religious proceedings and temple rituals. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love watching elephants bathe and play around in water? The sight of the cute baby elephants throwing water on each other is a memory you won’t forget anytime soon!
But wait, there’s more! The sanctuary is located near a 500-year-old palace built by the local rulers, which follows a traditional Kerala style of architecture known as Nalukettu. With its wooden carvings and sloping roofs, it’s a sight to behold. It’s the perfect spot for nature lovers to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and bask in the serene surroundings.
If you’re lucky, you might even get to see the male elephants in training for the Gajapooja and Anayottu festivals. And speaking of lucky, imagine being able to feed these gentle giants bananas and clicking pictures with some of the most popular elephants in the sanctuary. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
So pack your bags, grab your camera, and head on over to the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary for a trip of a lifetime! And don’t forget to pay your respects to the legendary Kesavan, the most famous and celebrated elephant in the history of Kerala, whose majestic qualities made him a superstar. His 12 ft statue stands tall in front of the Guruvayur Temple, and every year, the elephants pay a floral tribute to him on his death anniversary. What a life he must have had!