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Monsoon
rejuvenation therapy for jumbos begins in Kerala
by
Juhan Samuel Thrissur
( Kerala): Elephants in Thrissur in Kerala start the monsoon month with long
rejuvenation therapy during which they are kept away from hard labour and fed
with ayurvedic concoctions for their good health and well-being. Amidst a downpour,
hundreds of people gathered at the Vadakkunathan temple at Thrissur on Friday
and fed around 45 elephants with 'ladoos', sweet made of rice and jaggery, and
offered prayers. The elephants were ritualistically relieved from daily chores
for a month-long restorative treatment called 'Aanayoottu'. Aanayoottu literally
means feeding the elephants with specially prepared food, which is valued for
its high medicinal value. This medicinal concoction is regarded as vital for enhancing
the well-being of elephants. "We are giving utmost care to these elephants in
Kerala, providing all the amenities for the elephants for their health," said
P.B. Giridas, veterinary doctor. The medication will continue for the next 20
to 25 days for each of the pachyderm depending on its health conditions and weight.
The month of Karkidakam or the last month of the Malayalam colander year is considered
to be ideal for all kinds of rejuvenation therapies in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian
system of medicine. According to the veterinary doctor Dr. P.B. Giridas, it is
very useful for the elephants during the month, as they will remain healthy for
the next whole year. The medicated mixture given to the elephants during the period
comprises cooked rice with ghee, wheat flour, powdered black gram, palm jaggery
and herbal powders. The formulation is administered to the animals to protect
and improve their health during the monsoon months when they are not taken for
any temple processions or any other work and are provided with full rest. Thrissur
houses a majority of temple elephants in captivity, the Punnathur Kota near Guruvayoor
has 66 of pachyderm belonging to the temple also started its therapy period.
-July
18, 2009 Go
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