A diaphanous mechanical elephant passes by

Image: © A J Paxton Taken: 7 Nov 2021

Harminder the cycle-powered mechanical elephant all but stole the show at the 2021 Diwali procession in Coventry. She can be seen here passing the Ravidassia Temple on Foleshill Road (for a view of the temple by day see here Image). Harminder was commissioned by the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation (IHWO) of Northampton for Diwali in 2014 and was funded by Arts Council England; see her webpage here https://www.festiveroad.org/portfolio-view/harminder-the-elephant/ . In the howdah on Harminder's back can be seen her female pilot, perhaps one should say mahout, who is pedalling and steering the elephant, while behind her stands another woman playing the role of Sita, returning triumphant, freed from captivity to the demon king Ravana. An elephant is a suitable mount for an Indian princess. A cycle-powered elephant is also a very appropriate creature for Coventry; an elephant appears on the city coat of arms and it is represented in many places around the city, see for example here Image The bicycle and its Coventry pioneer James Starley Image have been featured prominently in the 2021 UK City of Culture events in the city, of which the Diwali procession, named 'Abundance', was one; see for example here Image

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