A mahout with his elephant during Atachamayam - a procession displaying various cultural art forms of Kerala, in Kottayam(Kerala). The procession takes place during Onam - harvest festival of Kerala. Elephants are temple property and are used in these festival celebrations, which is also a symbol of pride to the temple as well as Malayalees - natives of Kerala. Elephants are nurtured and bathed by the mahouts everyday, to keep them clean and keep their glorious looks preserved.