The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Elephants begin journey

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Elephants begin journey

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

UDHAGAMANDALAM, NOV. 16. With the beneficiaries setting off for the second rejuvenation camp for domestic elephants, starting on November 18, the organisers are working overtime to tie up the loose ends.

Rest centres with temporary medical facilities have been set up at various places including Kunjapanai, Kattabettu and Thalaikundah.

The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Rajamanickam told The Hindu that efforts were being made to overcome shortcomings noticed during the first camp held last year. Special attention was being paid to the grievances aired by mahouts and kavadis last year. Their rest areas had been made comfortable and facilities such as public call office were being provided. A solar fence was erected around the site and floodlights and watchtowers were being put up. Nutritious food items and ayurvedic medicines were kept ready for 69 elephants.

As a precaution, `kumki' elephants — well trained in handling wild elephants — would be stationed near the camp.

The Wildlife Warden, Ashok Upreti, said the sanctuary's camp elephants would remain at Bambax and Abhayaranyam within the sanctuary. However, they would enjoy all benefits provided to the camp participants. Camp elephants at Topslip would get the same treatment.

Of eighteen elephants from the Madurai division, 15 were from Madurai district and the rest from Dindigul and Theni districts.

Devotees of the Subramania Swamy temple at Tirupparankundram objected to the transportation of the temple elephant before the conclusion of `Kandashasti'. However, officials brought them round.

Long journey

Twelve tuskers from Tiruchi, including Andal, Lakshmi and Shanthi of the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, the Rockfort Thayumanaswamy Temple and the Tiruvanaikovil Akilandeswari-Jambukeswarar Temple, were headed for the camp. The Samayapuram Mariamman Temple elephant was said to be unfit for travel.

Though some mahouts had a tough time with a few elephants playing truant, they ensured that all tuskers climbed into trucks. The mahouts had done the rehearsal over the past few days to help the tuskers get over their fear. Each elephant was accompanied by its mahout and an assistant.

Errant elephant

From Tirunelvelli, Gandhimathi (Sri Nellaiyappar Gandhimathi Ambal Temple, Tirunelveli); Gomathi (Sri Sankaranarayanar Temple, Sankarankovil); Kumudhavalli (Vaiththamaanidhi Perumal Temple, Thirukkolur); Aadhinayaki (Aadhinaathar Temple, Azhwarthirunagari); Lakshmi (Irattai Thiruppathi); Gopalan (Sri Thanumalaya Swamy Temple, Suseendram); Jaini (Kadayanallur Mosque); Valli (Thirukkurunkudi) and Jothi (Melapalayam) were transported.

A seven-hour effort to make Shanthi of the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur board the lorry went in vain.

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