 The shield is made of finely shaped and cut peacock feathers aligned in a circular fashion around a wooden or fiber plaque with traditionally dictated decorative patterns made of other natural objects such as sea shells etc.Aalavattam is an essential element to be held atop the elephants during the poorams of South India where caparisoned elephants are marched in an organized and controlled procession as part of the annual local temple festival.Each elephant will have two or three persons atop, one of whom is dedicated to hold a pair of alavattam.