Mahouts ride on their elephant after collecting food from Chitwan National Park. – Photo by Reuters

Mahouts ride on elephants as they cross the Rapti River after collecting food from Chitwan National Park. – Photo by Reuters

A mahout ties a chain on the feet of his elephant after arriving from the Chitwan National Park at Sauraha. – Photo by Reuters

A mahout prepares food for his elephant at Sauraha in Chitwan. – Photo by Reuters

A Tharu woman dressed in traditional attire smiles as she participates in a parade marking an Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan. – Photo by Reuters

A mahout takes a bath after finishing his work before he leaves to participate for the Elephant Race. – Photo by Reuters

Tharu women arrive to participate in a parade marking at the Elephant Race. – Photo by Reuters

A mahout on his elephant participates in a parade marking at the Elephant Race event. – Photo by Reuters

A mahout checks foot of an elephant after arriving from the Chitwan National Park at Sauraha in Chitwan. – Photo by Reuters

Mahouts with their elephants gather before participating for the Elephant Race event. – Photo by Reuters

An elephant runs to the finish line during an Elephant Race event. – Photo by Reuters