Guruvayoor, July. 29 (PTI): After a month-long rejuvenation treatment during the monsoon, 64 elephants of the Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayoor, are all set to take up their various tasks at the shrine.

The elephants have to perform various rituals in the temple every day including 'seeveli' (the temple idol placed atop the pachyderm and taken round the shrine). At least five elephants are deputed for the temple tasks everyday.

They are used only for temple rituals or for festivities in other temples. They are not send out for hard work like that in timber mills.

The jumbos are annually given such treatment from July one to 30 at the sprawling 18-acre 'Punathur Kota', the home of the Guruvayoor elephants. Thirty elephants, who are under various stages of 'muss, ragi are among those given to the elephants during the treatment period.

About 2,048 kg of chavanprash (a mix of various ayurvedic medicines) was given to the animals, sources said.

The total expenses for the treatment was around Rs 7.40 lakh.

The treatment varies according to the age of the elephant. The oldest was 72-year-old 'Ramachandran' while 12-year-old 'Lakshminarayanan' was the youngest. 'Krishna', which was donated by AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, is said to be among the smartest of the lot, sources said.

Six elephants aged between 60-70 years are undergoing 'nitya chikilsa' (daily treatment).