Jumbos go back home after 48-day rejuvenation camp

The elephants, which had bonded well during their stay, began to caress each other, apparently sad before they set off on their journey back home, said mahouts. G Gajendran, who handles 10-year-old elephant Masini from the Samayapuram Mariyamman temple in Tiruchy, said he was happy to see his jumbo always in a playful mood in the camp. “She will definitely miss her friends. Masini was one of the youngest in the camp,” he said.

The elephants from various temples and mutts were transported by lorries back to their destination. Over the last 48 days, the jumbos were provided nutritious feed and special medical care and were made to undertake regular walking and given baths in the Bhavani river in a natural ambience.  

“Obese elephants had shed weight. All jumbos have shown significant improvement in their health and are much more active than before. Also, the elephants which had wounds after standing on rough surfaces for long hours were treated and cured completely,” said an official of the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. 

On the final day of the camp, special pujas were performed and the elephants were served with a farewell treat comprising loads of apples, pineapples, sugarcane, bananas, watermelons and jaggery. While the elephants were cajoled into the lorries, many refused to board the vehicles hinting that they didn’t want to leave the camp. It took a while for the mahouts to persuade them into the vehicles. 

To avoid a stressful journey, the pachyderms are likely to be rested midway. HR&CE Minister Sevur S Ramachandran, Forest Minister Dindigul C Srinivasan and Municipal Administration and Rural Development Minister S P Velumani flagged off the farewell journey of the elephants.