Jaipur, August 3, 2013: A lion's pink tongue is wrapped around the rump of a gazelle. Both animals are yellow and stand out against a blanket of green. The lion blinks. Only, it isn't a lion. The eye belongs to an elephant, with a colourful face-painting of a lion catching its prey.

Glittering green, blue and gold silk strips hang from the elephant's ears and brocade scarves tied to its tusks sweep grandly to the ground.

The crowd surges forward, pressing past a Rajasthani dance troupe. The dancers, part of a parade, swirl around the polo field, the jingling of their bangles and bells almost lost in the din.

Attempts by the guards to stop the crowd from flooding the field are in vain and people swarm around a small group of elephants competing in the Jaipur Elephant Festival's best dressed competition.

The seven pachyderms are splendidly decked out like Christmas trees from head to toe nails. Even their tails wear glittering sheaths of gold-trimmed velvet. Broad backs are draped with embroidered velvet coverings and boys dressed as princes ride on their necks. Some elephants have bells around their feet, richly embellished head plates and tassels around their tusks. Their heads and bodies are painted with colourful Indian motifs.

One elephant wears a quilt of silk - decorated with a patchwork of applique adornments in the shape of flowers and Hindu symbols - covering its face, with slits for the eyes.

On the back of another are a maharajah and maharani sitting regally in a silver howdah shaded by a tasselled velvet parasol.

The cutest is dressed like a farmer in a red checked shirt, jeans and pink painted toenails.

The mahouts cut dashing figures in brocade jackets and colourful turbans.

Guarding their elephants, they rake in the rupees by encouraging the gaping onlookers to have their photographs taken alongside the elephants.

Elephants have always had a place in Indian culture.

Ganesh, the Hindu deity with the head of an elephant is revered by Hindus so it's no surprise that elephants play a big part in religious ceremonies, processions and weddings.

While the elephants are the main attraction at the colourful festival, there's also an entertaining cultural program with a range of folk dances.

The crowd cheers as Rajasthani dance troupes and the Jaipur Kawa Band, whose members look grand in blue embroidered tunics, take turns to perform on stage.

There's an elephant tug of war and fun races for visitors involving balancing water jars on their heads.

One curiosity is the monkey man, who has a following of locals who are glued to his antics. He roams the field on his hands and legs, tail in the air, mimicking a monkey.

The Elephant Festival ends with a Holi celebration on elephant back. Teams of water pistol-toting riders scream and laugh as they spray each other with coloured water.

The writer was a guest of Singapore Airlines and Abercrombie &Kent.

THREE OTHER THINGS TO DO IN JAIPUR

1. A Rajput-style elephant safari

Combine this with a champagne breakfast at Dera Amer and a visit to Amber Fort. Amber was the old capital of the Kingdom of Kachhawa and the fort's a delight.

2. Jaipur's City Palace

Is a maze of courtyards, pavilions and galleries. Soak up the historic atmosphere by wandering through royal audience halls, living areas, banqueting chambers and offices. It's not hard to imagine when maharajahs held court.

3. Jantar Mantar

Marvel at the giant instruments at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built three centuries ago by Maharajah Jai Singh II. The instruments were used to measure the constellations, stars and planets.

LOOKING FOR MORE FESTIVALS? TRY THESE

1. Pushkar Camel Fair

(November) - Camels are dressed up, paraded, raced and traded. The camel beauty contests are a highlight.

2. Kerala's temple festivals

(February to May) - Many Hindu temples in Kerala own their own elephants, which are decorated and used in processions. The biggest festival is Thrissur Pooram, which takes place at Vadakkumnathan temple in Thrissur.

3. Holi

(March) - A festival that paints the entire country in bright colours, Holi is fun. Wear old clothes and be prepared to get wet. People throw coloured powder.

Go2 - Jaipur

GETTING THERE

 Singapore Airlines has 100 flights a week from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and other major cities to Singapore, with connections to 10 destinations in India via Singapore Airlines and SilkAir. Ph 13 10 11.

Australians require a visa for india, which costs $75.

STAYING THERE

Rambagh Palace was the former home of the maharajah and offers maharajah-like pastimes such as sipping a gin and tonic in the Polo Bar or taking afternoon tea on the veranda.

FESTIVALS

The Jaipur Elephant Festival is held in the Jaipur Polo Grounds, usually from 4pm to 7pm. The annual event is organised according to the Indian calendar on the full moon day of Phalgun Purnima (usually in February or March). It usually coincides with Holi, which celebrates the victory of good over evil.

GETTING AROUND

Abercrombie &Kent specialises in bespoke journeys around India. Phone an A&K travel specialist on 1300 851 800 to tailor your journey in India. abercrombiekent.com.au

Source: couriermail.com.au, DT. August 3, 2013.