This story appears in the August 2013 issue of National Geographic magazine. The royalty of India—Hindu and Muslim—understood long ago that power was best wielded from the back of an elephant.

Accompanying these beautifully decorated elephants are camels and cows, also dressed for the occasion. The parade scenes are a vibrant spectacle, with men playing drums, carrying flags ...

Supreme Court of India defends use of elephants in festivals as cultural tradition amidst foreign funding allegations.

Kochi: The high court on Thursday orally asked whether the state govt was playing a double game before the court and the apex ...