Forest officials, along with elephant trainers who are known locally as #39;mahouts#39;, performed a small ceremony on Sunday before the resumption of the safaris. A local priest, in a Hindu blessing, smeared vermillion on the forehead of the elephants as they prepared to receive their first riders after a long gap. Forest officials, along with elephant trainers who are known locally as #39;mahouts#39;, performed a small ceremony on Sunday before the resumption of the safaris. A local priest, in a Hindu blessing, smeared vermillion on the forehead of the elephants as they prepared to receive their first riders after a long gap.