Elephants in ceremonies

Keeping a herd of elephants is costly, and therefore it’s always been the privilege of the powerful. Rare white elephants, which are considered to be the incarnation of Buddha in Buddhist countries, were especially prized. They were kept solely for kings, who were willing to pay unimaginable amounts for them.

To this day, elephants are kept in the greatest luxury in many temples, where their sole task is to grant believers a blessing. They also participate, festively painted and adorned, in annual celebrations and religious processions.

Because elephants are considered to be bearers of good luck, bridegrooms at big traditional Indian weddings are carried to the ceremony on the back of an elephant. Nothing has changed even in the modern era, only a decorated animal these days doesn’t belong to the groom’s family, but is rented from a specialised company.