The Paripally Gajamela, held at the Kodimoottil Bhagavathy Temple in Kollam, is a grand event that features a majestic parade of caparisoned elephants. This annual festival, dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, includes the participation of around 50 elephants, making it a spectacular sight for devotees and visitors alike. The elephants are adorned with colorful decorations and paraded on the concluding day of the ten-day festival, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

The festival takes place in March, during the Malayalam month of Kumbham. Alongside the elephant procession, the temple premises host a variety of cultural programs to entertain and engage the devotees. These programs include traditional music and dance performances that showcase Kerala's rich cultural heritage.

The Kodimoottil Sree Bhagavathy Temple is renowned for its association with elephants, which are considered incarnations of Lord Ganesha in Hindu tradition. Historically, wealthy families in Kerala would keep elephants as symbols of prosperity and status. During the Gajamela, devotees offer elephants to the temple as a form of Nercha (offering), believing that this will bring them prosperity and fulfill their wishes.

The Gajamela is a significant cultural event, attracting approximately 50,000 people each year. The festival's highlight is the elephant procession, where the majestic animals are accompanied by mahouts holding ornate silk parasols (muthukuda), white tufts (venchamaram), and peacock feather fans (aalavattam). The rhythmic beats of traditional temple orchestra instruments, known as Panchavadyam, add to the festive ambiance, making the parade a mesmerizing experience.

The synchronized changing of the parasols on top of the elephants, known as Kudamattam, is another captivating aspect of the Gajamela. This ritual, combined with the colorful decorations and the vibrant energy of the festival, makes the Paripally Gajamela a must-see event for anyone visiting Kerala.