Indian Elephant
In Religion and Mythology
An elephant carrying the deity during the Pooram festival in Kerala
Elephants are sacred animals to the Hindus. Many Hindu temples (especially in South India) own elephants that carry the deities during festivals processions and ceremonial circumambulations in the temples. The famous Guruvayoor temple in Kerala owns more than 60 domesticated elephants, most of them donated by devotees.
In Religion and Mythology
Lord Ganesha – the elephant God
Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of wisdom, is probably the most worshipped Hindu deity in the country today. He is usually worshipped at the beginning of every religious ritual or puja by devout Hindus.
Elephants are also sacred to the Buddhists. One of the beliefs of Buddhism is reincarnation. It is believed that Lord Buddha reincarnated as Chaddanta, the legendary white elephant with six tusks. The elephant represents the strength of the mind in Buddhism.
Scientific Name: Elephas maximus indicus
Common Name: Indian elephant, Haathi (Hindi), Yaanai (Tamil), Gajaha (Sanskrit)
Distribution: Western ghats and the trans-Himalayan zones of India
Conservation Status: Endangered (EN)