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'Aanayottam' (Elephant race)

The most famous Aanayottam is conducted at the Guruvayur temple during the Utsavam.   This will start from 'Manjulalthara'(Big banyan tree in the eastern entrance).  The race ends at the flag post.  During the race the elephants have to run 7 times around the temple.  The elephant who wins will have the right to take the idol of Sri Guruvayurappa during the procession.

Legend behind the Aanayottam

Once Guruvayur was a subordinate temple of Thrikkanamathilakom temple.  Utsavam of Guruvayoor temple was conducted after the utsavam of Thrikkanamathilakam temple.  After the utsavam of that temple they will sent the elephants to Guruvayoor.  One year they refused to send elephants because of some financial disputes and chained the elephants.  But during that night the all of the elephants ran from Thrikkanamathilakam to Guruvayoor.  Thrikkanamathilakam temple was destroyed by the Dutch.  The Aanayottam is conducting as a memory of this historical event.