Ettumanoor Ezharaponnana

Ettumanoor Ezharaponnana procession is held during the annual festival at Ettumanoor Sree Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam district of Kerala

Ezhara literally means seven-and-half and ‘Ponnana’ means golden elephant. They are together called seven-and-half elephants as each of the seven elephants is two feet high and the eighth one is of one foot.

These elephants were offered to the deity by the then ruler of Travancore, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The Ezhara Ponnana procession is a major ritual. The story of Ezhara Ponnana is linked to the king’s rule.

The Ezhara Ponnana procession is a memorable spectacle to behold on the eighth and tenth day of the festival at Ettumanoor. The temple is crowded to see the special event

Ettumannor Mahadeva Temple hosts this festival on a grand scale on the special day of Thiruvathira.

This temple is also famous for its priceless assets.