Guruvayoor elephant race tomorrow: Best tips to enjoy the event

The annual Guruvayoor Aanayottam or elephant race is back. The event, which opens the annual 10-day Guruvayoor temple festival, will be held at 3 pm tomorrow. Its starting point is 'Manjulaal,' or the banyan tree near the temple, and concludes at the Eastern temple entrance, which is about half a kilometre away. This year, 11 elephants have been confirmed to take part in the race. Three out of seven elephants from this group would be selected for the race through a lucky draw. The winning elephant will carry Guruvayoorappan's 'thidambu' or idol during the festival and for other special occasions for a year. 

Elephants to look out for
Elephants named Ravi Krishnan, Devadas, Krishnanarayanan, Gopi Krishnan, Vishnu, Balu, Sidharthan, Indrasen, Damodardas, Gagendra and Chenthamarakshan are lined up for the race tomorrow. The first seven elephants will be part of the lucky draw. The elephant that finishes first would be made to enter the temple. The event would be completed when this elephant completes seven circumambulations and pays respects to the deity in front of the flagstaff inside the temple.

Tips to enjoy the event
1) Stay behind the ropes or barricades set up at the route to ensure safety
2) Do not provoke the animals; follow the instructions of the authorities
3) Arrive at the location early to ensure a good viewing spot. Elephants are brought to their starting spot only by around 2.30 pm, and the race starts when the temple bell strikes 3 pm. 
4) Be prepared to be among a large crowd