COIMBATORE: The annual ‘elephant Pongal’ was celebrated with traditional fervour at the Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp in Anaimalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) and Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) on Friday.

After a bath, the 26 elephants from Kozhikamuthi and Varagaliyar camps were lined up, and special prayers were offered at the Vinayagar shrine in the camp premises. In a unique ritual, the trained elephants performed ‘abhishekam’ by sprinkling water on the deity using their trunks and offered prayers by raising their trunks.

As part of the celebrations, retired Kumki ‘Kaleem’ was adorned with a ceremonial headgear in recognition of its service. Besides a sweet treat of Pongal, the elephants were also fed apples, pineapples, sugarcane, bananas, and ragi-based food items.

Tourists said they were delighted to watch the Pongal celebrations at the camp. “Its a unique and unforgettable experience,” said R Vinod Kumar, a tourist from Coimbatore.

Deputy Director of ATR, Devendra Kumar Meena, presided over the event and gave away sugarcane and pongal to elephants, while tourists took selfies and enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

Similarly, the 29 elephants participated in celebrations at the Theppakadu elephant camp, where Pongal was prepared in ten earthen pots. District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru and other forest department officials took part in the celebrations. Traditional dance performance by tribal people and traditional games marked the festivity.