In the Vadakkumnathan temple, Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathi homam – a puja dedicated to Lord Ganesha – is held before feeding the elephants. The Aanayoottu begins when the main priest feeds an elephant with the ‘prasad’ from the homam.
A Gaja pooja is also held during Aanayoottu.
Aanayoottu Festival at Vadakkumnathan Temple
The annual aanayoottu festival at Vadakkumnathan Temple in Kerala is observed on the first day of Karkidakam month (July 16 or July 17) as per traditional Malayalam calendar in Kerala. The ritual begin in 1982.
In the festival, each elephant is given 5 kg of cooked rice, turmeric powder, ghee and other herbal
medicines.
As per the ritual, the youngest elephant among the herd is fed first.
For the annual Maha Ganapathi Homam more than 10,000 coconuts, 2,000 kg jaggery, 1,500
avil or beaten rice, 250 kg malar or puffed rice, 100 kg sesame seeds, 75 kg honey, sugarcane and
Ganapathi naranga (citron) are used.