Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on the night of February 7 to watch an annual Buddhist pageant where hundreds of drummers, traditional dancers and torchbearers escort dozens of beautifully decorated elephants in a colourful parade.

Elephants paraded in annual Buddhist pageant in Sri Lanka

Hundreds cheered as the three beauty contest finalists strolled out into the middle of the grounds and raised their painted trunks to the judges -- symbols of all that is admired and denounced at Nepal's annual elephant festival.

Nepal elephant festival scrutinised for beauty and bruises

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Elephants paraded in annual Buddhist pageant in Sri Lanka

Nepal elephant festival scrutinised for beauty and bruises