Tusker Gopi Kannan wins annual Guruvayur elephant race

GURUVAYUR: Tusker Gopi Kannan has emerged victorious in the elephant race held as part of the Guruvayur temple festival. Female elephant Devi came second. Elephants Gopi Kannan, Ravikrishna and Devdas were prepared in the front line. Gopi Kannan led the race since the beginning.

After crossing the eastern tower gate and entering the temple compound, Gopi Kannan circumambulated the temple seven times and bowed to Guruvayurappan. The elephant was managed by mahout M. Subhas. Other mahouts including K Harinarayanan assisted him. Tusker Ravikrishna came third. Only Gopi Kannan was allowed inside the temple. 10 elephants lined up in the elephant race.

Gopi Kannan will get special care inside the temple for 10 days. He will be taken out of the temple walls during Guruvayurappan's city tour in the evening on the Pallivetta day.

After the elephant race, all the elephants had a rich meal.

Nine-time winner

Gopi Kannan won the elephant race in 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2024. He was offered to the temple by MG Gopalakrishnan, of Nandilath in Thrissur, on September 3, 2001.