Punnathur Kotta Anakkotta Guruvayur

Guruvayur Kotta, located near the famous Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur, Kerala, is one of the largest elephant sanctuaries in the world owned by a temple. This unique place is home to 50+ elephants, all donated by devotees to Lord Guruvayurappan. These elephants are trained, cared for, and used in temple rituals and grand processions like Thrissur Pooram.

For visitors, Guruvayur Kotta is not just a sightseeing spot but a cultural experience where you can observe elephants being bathed, fed, and trained. It is also known as the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary because it is housed inside the old palace grounds of the Punnathur Raja.

Here’s your complete travel guide to Guruvayur Kotta 👇

🎫 Punnathur Kotta Entry Fee & Timings

• Entry Ticket Price:

  • Adults: ₹20 per person

  • Children (below 12 years): ₹10

  • Camera Fee: ₹25

  • Video Camera Fee: ₹100

• Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (all days)

• Best Visiting Time: Morning (9 AM – 11 AM) or evening (3 PM – 5 PM) when elephants are most active

👉 Note: The kotta closes during afternoon hours (12:30 PM – 2:30 PM) when elephants rest.

🚆 How to Reach

• By Air: Cochin International Airport (80 km, ~2 hours)

• By Train: Guruvayur Railway Station (2 km)

• By Road:

  • Thrissur to Guruvayur: 29 km (45 min by bus/car)

  • Kochi to Guruvayur: 90 km (2.5 hours)

  • Palakkad to Guruvayur: 100 km (3 hours)

• Government Bus: KSRTC buses run frequently from Thrissur, Kochi, and Palakkad to Guruvayur Bus Stand (2 km from Kotta).

🐘 Things to Do Inside Guruvayur Kotta

Visiting Guruvayur Kotta (Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary) is a unique cultural and spiritual experience. Here, travellers can spend 1–2 hours observing elephants up close in their natural temple environment. Unlike a zoo, this is a place of devotion where elephants are trained for temple duties and rituals.

🛁 Watch Elephant Bathing

• Elephants are bathed every morning in large stone tanks. Mahouts scrub them with coir brushes, while elephants enjoy splashing water with their trunks.

• The bathing session usually happens between 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and is one of the main attractions for tourists.

👉 Hidden Tip: Arrive by 9 AM to get a good viewing spot near the pond. The best photos are taken from the shaded side (avoid standing behind the elephants for safety).

🍌Observe Feeding Rituals

• Elephants are fed huge quantities of palm leaves, coconuts, jaggery, and bananas.

• It’s fascinating to watch how carefully mahouts measure and distribute food.

• Children especially love watching baby elephants munch on bananas.

👉 Hidden Tip: Feeding elephants directly is not allowed, but if you want a closer experience, ask the mahouts politely, sometimes they let tourists offer bananas under supervision.

🎺Learn About Temple Ritual Training

• Guruvayur elephants are trained here to participate in temple festivals and processions.

• Visitors can see elephants practicing walking in formation, wearing ceremonial Nettipattam (golden caparison), and standing in line.

• During the festival season (April–May), training sessions are more frequent.

👉 Hidden Tip: Visit in the evening (after 3 PM) when some elephants are prepared for ritual practice, fewer crowds and better chances of witnessing training.

🙏Witness Elephant Prasadam Blessings

• Some elephants are trained to bless devotees by gently touching their trunk on the visitor’s head.

• This ritual is usually allowed during special temple days and is considered auspicious.

• A small donation (₹10–₹20) is usually made to the mahout for arranging this.

👉 Hidden Tip: Always bow your head and stand calmly. Avoid sudden movements when taking blessings.

📸Photography & Elephant Profiles

• Every elephant has a board displaying its name, age, and history (many are donated by famous personalities and devotees).

• Photographers love this spot because elephants roam freely in open courtyards.

• Camera Fee: ₹25 | Video Camera Fee: ₹100

👉 Hidden Tip: Use zoom instead of getting too close, mahouts are strict about keeping distance. Early morning gives the best natural light.

🐘Baby Elephants Play Area

• If lucky, visitors can spot calves (baby elephants) playing inside the kotta.

• They are often kept separately and are the biggest attraction for children.

• Playful interactions between calves and their mothers are heartwarming to watch.

👉 Hidden Tip: Keep children at a safe distance, baby elephants can be unpredictable when playful.

📖Cultural & Educational Experience

• Guruvayur Kotta is not just a tourist attraction, it’s a living tradition.

• Visitors can learn about the bond between elephants and Kerala temples, as well as the role elephants play in rituals like Thrissur Pooram.

• Local guides (₹200–₹300) are available to explain the traditions in detail.

👉 Hidden Tip: Hire a guide if you want to understand the deeper cultural significance, otherwise, you might miss many details.

✅ Traveller Highlights Inside Guruvayur Kotta

• Morning: Best time to watch bathing & feeding

• Afternoon: Elephants resting (not much activity)

• Evening: Good for training sessions & fewer crowds

• Duration of Visit: 1–2 hours

• Facilities: Drinking water available, but limited seating/shade

🛍️ Shopping Near Guruvayur

• Temple Street Market – Brass lamps, elephant figurines, handicrafts

• Thrissur Market (28 km) – Kerala silk sarees, gold jewelry, spices

• Local Shops – Sweets like “Palada Payasam Mix” and banana chips

🌤️ Best Season to Visit

• October to March – Best for pleasant climate and festivals

• April–May – Peak temple festival season (crowded but vibrant)

• Monsoon (June–September) – Lush greenery, but heavy rain

💡 Hidden Travel Tips

✔️ Visit in the morning to see elephants being bathed and fed.
✔️ Don’t attempt to touch or feed elephants — it’s not allowed.
✔️ Carry water bottles, hats, and cash (many shops don’t accept cards).
✔️ Combine your visit with Guruvayur Temple Darshan.
✔️ Weekdays are less crowded compared to weekends.

📝 Guruvayur Kotta Visitor Reviews

🌟 The Good – Why People Love Guruvayur Kotta

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“An amazing experience to see elephants so close!”
We reached early in the morning and got to see elephants bathing. It was such a peaceful and joyful sight. The kids loved watching the calves play in the water. Entry fee is very cheap, and you can easily spend 1–2 hours here. A must-visit along with Guruvayur Temple.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“Best place for elephant lovers.”
You get to see dozens of elephants together in one place, something you rarely find anywhere else. Watching them eat huge amounts of food and interact with mahouts was unforgettable. Photography was allowed for a small fee which made it worthwhile.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“Cultural and spiritual experience.”
This is not just a tourist spot — it’s part of Kerala’s temple tradition. Learning about how elephants are trained for temple rituals was eye-opening. Felt very connected to the culture of Guruvayur.

⚠️ The Bad – What Travellers Struggled With

⭐️⭐️⭐️“Too crowded during weekends.”
The place was full of visitors, making it hard to get a good view of the elephants. Parking was also an issue near the kotta. Best to visit on weekdays.

⭐️⭐️⭐️“Not much shade or facilities.”
While the elephants were amazing, the visitor area doesn’t have enough seating or shaded spots. It gets very hot in the afternoon. Carry water bottles and caps.

⭐️⭐️ “Felt sorry for some elephants.”
Some elephants were chained when we visited, and it was a bit sad to see them like that. Though we understand it’s part of temple rituals, sensitive travellers might find it uncomfortable.

📌Guruvayur Anakkotta Overall Experience

Guruvayur Kotta is more than just a sanctuary, it’s an unforgettable cultural experience. Watching elephants bathe, eat, and prepare for temple rituals is something you’ll rarely find anywhere else in the world. If you’re visiting Kerala, this is a must-visit spot for families, culture enthusiasts, and spiritual travelers.