Once the property of Punnathur Raja's, Punnathur kotta is now ruled by the elephants of Guruvayoor SreeKrishna temple. This erstwhile palace compound is now home to more than 60 elephants which include tuskers (male), mozha (tuskless) and
cows (female).
cows (female).
This unique elephant sanctuary is located at Thrissur district in Kerala
at a distance of 3.8 kms North from the famous Guruvayoor temple.
Here one can see majestic tuskers of different ages and sizes grazing in a lushly green garden.
All the jumbos seen here are the offerings made by devotees to lord Krishna.
This fort complex consist of a 500 year old palace constructed by the erstwhile local rulers known as Punnathur Raja's.
The palace was constructed according to the traditional architectural style of Kerala known as Nalukettu,
a style shaped by the climatic and geographical factors of the state.
Nalukettu is a traditional rectangular style building with sloping roof ,wooden carvings and a central courtyard opened to the sky. The four sides of a Nalukettu is named according to its position inside the building.The eastern side is called as Kizhakkini , western side known as Padinjattini , southern side as Thekkini and the northern side as Vadakkini.
Punnathur fort was purchased by Guruvayoor Devasom Board in 1975 to house
its elephants. All the elephants of Guruvayoor temple were shifted to Punnathur fort in 1975.
This fort complex with acres of land also have a temple of Lord Shiva and Bhagavathy.
In Kerala, elephants are known as "Sahyaputra". Sahya means Western Ghats and Putra means son.
Starting from Satputra range in Gujarat the Western Ghats run parallel to the west coast of India and ends in
Kanyakumari the southern most tip of India. Western Ghats borders the eastern side of Kerala.
Elephants play a prominent role in the culture of India. The Hindu God Lord Ganesha
is portrayed as a deity with an Elephant head. According to Hindu epics some gods
like Indra ride on Elephant's back. The state emblem of Kerala also depicts two elephants.
With his majestic outlook and behavioral qualities Guruvayoor Kesavan is the most famous and celebrated elephant in Kerala history. He passed away in the auspicious Ekadasi day in 1976 after serving Guruvayoorappan for a period of 54 years. Kesavan was immortalized by his 12 ft statue in front of Panjajanyam rest house and also by a film titled his name. His death anniversary is observed by paying floral tributes by the elephants of Punnathur kotta on his statue.
Another major elephant attraction is Aanayottam or Elephant race which is conducted every year at Guruvayoor to mark the beginning of 10 day temple festival.
Those who visit Punnathur kotta can also witness mahouts bathing and massaging the elephants with small stones and coconut husks. It is a pleasure to watch these beast enjoying their elaborate bath.
Untamed elephants are housed in huge cage made of wood. One who visit Punnathur
Kotta can watch this cage and mahout's training the elephants.
People of Kerala are so crazy about elephants that no processions accompanying temple celebration will be completed without caparisoned elephants and orchestral feast known as Panchavadyam. The elephant decorations include gold or gold plated Caparisons ( Nettipattom), bells, and necklaces. People mounted on the elephants hold special umbrella made of silk
known as Muthukuda, Swaying Venchamaram (white tuft) and Aalavattom made of peacock feathers.
The biggest and most famous temple festivals in Kerala are Thrissur Pooram and Aarattupuzha pooram . Though Arattupuzha pooram is the oldest of all poorams with 61 caparisoned elephants, Thrissur Pooram attracts more crowds with its 30 elephants
The tuskers of Punnathurkotta also get a 30 days of "Sukachikatsa" (treatment and health care with sumptuous and healthy food with complete rest ) during the month of July (Kerala monsoon). There is a special offering called Aaanyootu conducted by Guruvayoor Devasom board at Punnathur kotta.in which elephants are fed with rice, plantain, jaggery and coconut.
Punnathoor kotta is obviously a potential tourist destination for elephant lovers from all over the world.
Address: Kottapadi Rd, Kerala, India
3.8 km from Guruvayoor temple
2.6 km from Mammiyoor temple
3.8 km from Guruvayoor temple
2.6 km from Mammiyoor temple
