Date:02/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/02/stories/2007070253380300.htm

Kerala - Thrissur

Rejuvenation therapy for elephants gets under way

Staff Reporter

64 elephants owned by Guruvayur Devaswom undergoing month-long therapy

TIME FOR RELAXATION: Guruvayur Devaswom chairman Thottathil Ravindran inaugurating the rejuvenation therapy for elephants owned by the Devaswom on Sunday.

Thrissur: The annual rejuvenation therapy (‘Sukhachikilsa’) for 64 elephants owned by the Guruvayur Devaswom began at the Punnathur Anakotta on Sunday.

Devaswom chairman Thottathil Ravindran inaugurated the month-long therapy. Managing committee members T. R. Hari, M.Vasudevan and Mallisseri Parameswaran Namboodiripad were present on the occasion.

The therapy includes ayurvedic and allopathic restorative medicines, diet regimen and well-massaged bath. The diet includes specially-prepared rice, greengram, horsegram, turmeric powder and ragi.

Traditional physician Avanaparambu Maheswaran Bhattathiripad and veterinary surgeons will supervise the therapy.

The Devaswom will spend Rs.7.4 lakh for the therapy.