• A young man washes his elephant in a river in Jaipur, India. Bathing is an important ritual, one that helps bond the elephant to its mahout, or keeper.

  • Veterinary care during festival season in India.

  • Mir Hasan holds his daughter, Chandtara, with the elephant they live with and take care of, Rajleali, at the Elephant Village in Jaipur, India. Mahouts, or elephant keepers, are commonly family professions, and the trainers are assigned an elephant early in its life. They remain bonded to each other throughout their lives.

  • Veterinary care during festival season in India.

  • A mahout examines an ancient book on elephant maladies and herbal treatments. Elephants, a symbol of royalty, have long been revered in Indian society.

  • Veterinary care during festival season in India.

  • Bathed in colored powder, men celebrate India’s spring festival of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors.

  • Benty Sharney mounts his elephant in the stable where they are kept. Mahouts, or elephant keepers, are commonly family professions, and the trainers are assigned an elephant early in its life. They remain bonded to each other throughout their lives. Elephants are the center of attention during Jaipur’s Elephant Festival, celebrated during Holi. They are decorated with paint and ornaments, and the most beautiful elephants earn prizes.

  • Bathed in colored powder and a red mask, a young girl celebrates India’s spring festival of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors.

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