Kathmandu: Elephants did the catwalk.
Apparently one of the world's biggest mammal were out to prove
that large can be beautiful too.
The rare spectacle unfolded at Nepal's exotic Chitwan
National Park, where a unique Miss Elephant International
pageant was held.
Elephants could score points not only for walking the
ramp, they were judged also for cleanliness, health,
discipline and adornment.
Six contestants vied for the title, with 28-year-old
Chanchalkali walked away with the honours followed by
Dhirendrakali, 35, and Basantakali, 40.
The pageant was held to popularise the tourist resort
which is Nepal's third biggest draw after Kathmandu and
Pokhra.
Chanchalkali, No 3 contestant, was attired in pink and had
a red hood. Her nails were trimmed and painted with different
colours and a garland around her neck.
She did a fiery catwalk and uprooted the victory flag to
pass it on to her mahout to a tremendous ovation from the
crowd and the judges.
A 300-metre race and an elephant football contest was
also organised on the occasion, with Beautykali of CG foods
winning the race clocking one minute and 13.2 seconds.
Kist Bank team won the elephant calves football by
defeating Tourism Development Bank team.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 13:59