Are you interested in the of these tools, or Elephant goad (ankus) - Explore the Collections
The ankus is one of the Astamangala (eight auspicious symbols) and is an attribute of several deities, most notably Ganesha , the remover of obstacles. Are you interested in the of these tools,
Used by mahouts (elephant keepers), the tool applies pressure to sensitive areas of an elephant's skin—such as behind the ears—to guide the animal, similar to how spurs are used with horses. Cultural & Religious Symbolism: most notably Ganesha
