Wayanad, Kerala: A village in Wayanad has turned its love and memories of a beloved wild elephant into a spectacular floral tribute.
A huge 25,000-square-foot Pookkalam has been built at the Irulam Higher Secondary School ground in a loving tribute to elephant Maniyan who is still very much remembered by the local people.
The huge floral carpet was made out of more than 10,000 kg of flowers and transformed the school ground into a colourful celebration of Kerala’s floral tradition. Bright marigolds, locally known as Chendumalli, and globe amaranths, popularly known as Vadamalli were among the flowers used.
The centrepiece of the giant Pookkalam is a detailed floral representation of Maniyan, the wild elephant who had earned a special place in the hearts of villagers.
Rather than simply making a traditional floral arrangement, the community opted to honour an animal that had become embedded in the local memory.
Pookkalams are associated with Kerala’s favourite harvest festival Onam. Families, schools and communities in the state create bright floral designs. The Wayanad tribute is emotionally touching in the tradition of remembering an elephant and a local elephant is used in the painting.
The size of the floral carpet makes the tribute particularly striking. Thousands of kilograms of flowers were arranged to create the large design, and the image of Maniyan serves as its emotional focal point.
Maniyan was more than a wild elephant passing through the region to people for villagers. The affection displayed in the floral tribute is a reflection of the emotional bond that people can have with wildlife that’s living around them.
Keralam: Wayanad village creates 25,000-sq-ft Pookkalam in tribute to elephant Maniyan.
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) August 25, 2026
The floral carpet was created at the Irulam Higher Secondary School ground using more than 10,000 kg of flowers, including marigolds, locally known as Chendumalli, and globe amaranths, or… pic.twitter.com/rxUcVWJ2lS
People from Wayanad are also in the centre of things and it’s all to the point here to see how people from Wayanad interact with the natural world and the environment.
Like the rest of Kerala’s natural environment, the district is rich with forests and wildlife e.g. elephants.
The giant Pookkalam is therefore more than flowers. It is remembrance, community spirit and affection for an animal that left a lasting impression on the people of the area.
Visitors and residents will be encouraged to see the floral artwork and Maniyan is likely to be one of the most memorable aspects of this year’s celebration.
And, through thousands of flowers arranged across a vast space, the community has found a colourful and moving way to keep the memory of the beloved elephant alive.
