India is one of the very few countries in the world where you will find an elephant walking down the road. We as Indians don’t find this surprising but as a tourist to India, you might find an elephant strolling down the road quite amusing or even frightening. Don’t worry, most of these elephants are domesticated and are used to being watched, photographed and ridden on. Elephants are of special significance in India as an animal that resembles Lord Ganesha (god of luck) and for being the mount of Goddess Laxmi (goddess of wealth).
If you want to see Indian elephants, then Bandipur National Park in the south Indian state of Karnataka is a good place to go. In addition, best places to see wild Indian elephants include; Periyar National Park in Thekkady (Kerala), Rajaji National Park in Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and Corbett National Park near the town of Nainital (Uttarakhand).
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Ah…I can never forget the elephant rides we used to enjoy as kids Shalu!
We just had to see an elephant and our parents would agree for an elephant ride. Those days they weren’t that strict about letting us ride, which nowadays has become somewhat limited to certain places only.
I love seeing elephants and the way they carry themselves – always a feast to the eyes. More so, when they are all dressed up for festivals and functions it’s a treat to watch them.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Aha those elephants ride. Can’t forget those!
Good inform Shalu…we have seen wild elephants in Rajaji, Nagarhole and Madumalai and Nagarhole where a young tusker actually chased us
Wow, can’t believe they chased you, must be scary.
I have seen not only Elephant but also many wild animals on the road, I don’t like Elephant on the road, Elephant should keep in forfest. They are happy & save in forest
Disha, they are very lovable animals. I once happened to engage with a baby elephant and you wont believe how lovely they can be.
Shalu, not only Elephant is lovable ! All Animals are lovable.
Hey Disha, I agree completely with you. Thanks for your comment and hope to see you again.
Hello Shalu,
I like elephants very much. When I was kid, I loved every ride that I had, but now it’s quite embarrassing and I’m not kid anymore, Still my love for elephants is there.
Every time I see an elephant, I get into trans mode for a while and stare at elephant recalling all those beautiful memories I have. I love India for having all these small wonders.:)
Thanks again for reminding me my childhood. 😉
Hey Romy, you can still ride elephants, I do.
Hi shalu ji,
I have been to many states of India and must say elephants can be seen everywhere,But really it looks awesome to see a giant animal walking down the streets.
Earlier i use to live in Noida,U.p when i was a kid.
There have snake and newalas shows in streets.
I agree with you that for foreigners it will be something like shocking but for us it is very common.
Thank You
Shorya Bist
From Youthofest
You are most welcome. Thank you for your comment. Hope to see you again here.
A wonderful post, Shalu! Thank you!
I have seen them near Lansdowne too, where one doesn’t even have to enter a reserve! The tuskers can be seen down a riverbed from the road itself!
Funny in India, we don’t have to go to the zoo to see animals on the streets.
Hi Shalu jee
Amazing share!
The way this giant walks on road is lovely to watch. In Delhi the sight is very rare these days, they have become a part of the marriage ceremony these days.
Thanks for the share.
Sapna
In the cosmopolitan areas, it might be a rare site nowadays. Thanks for your comment and hope to see you again.
I was enthralled by these elephants that walk the street and the snake charmers that visited my village every Thursday in my childhood. It amazes me the way they behave so well even in crowded areas.
I agree Farida, elephants are always welcome. Kids love them.
It would probably so amusing to see elephants strolling around the street. I only see these animals in the zoo and you can’t even touch them.
Sarah, you’ll find all sorts of animals on the roads. You will even find monkeys in some places.
If you come to India, you will be surprised to see them on the road. They are amazing animals.
Hi
The Indian elephant is a must see when I go. Will have a look at where the national parks are because I want to see the domesticated ones and see how they are reveared by there keepers. But to see some wild Indian elephant as well would add so much to the trip.
Great resource thanks lee
Thank you Lee. Local parks, fairs and zoo’s are great places to find elephants. Hope you get to ride one. Thank you for your comment.
Elephants are also become a very important part of Indian weddings too. Rich families hire elephants for rent to show their status
I love it so much…Seeing Elephants and camel carts on the road…Surely a new and attractive thing for the tourists..
Hahaha, thats a real image to have an elephant on the road 😀
in india this is a topic to discuss and share and in other countries its a crisis situation
Great information . but can you tell us what happening indian elephant walking in the road or other reasons.
it very pleasant and unforgettable moment to see elephant on the road but i think seeing them in forest is much better than the road. they should be keep in forest.they are not the property of of human’s.
I Think its time to take rest for that elephant. Or its lunch time.
It’s normal to have Elephants on Road in INDIA while you can see other animals too walking openly in INDIA majorily Monkeys in Delhi.