2018 Tamil Nadu Elephant Rejuvenation Camp

Today (April 5, 2018) the article “Temple Elephants Find Friends and Care at This Retreat in India,” with lots of great photographs has appeared in "The New York Times". The article is about Tamil Nadu's recently concluded 48-day Elephant Rejuvenation Camp that was conducted at Mettupalayam.

The article starts:

"It’s not every day that you spot an elephant riding in the back of a truck.

Selvaprakash Lakshmanam wasn’t the only person taking photographs as he documented a temple elephant’s trip from its solitary and sacred home to an elephant rejuvenation camp in southern India. He had first visited the camp, in the state of Tamil Nadu, about five years ago, and he returned in 2015. On that visit, he made portraits of elephants and their keepers, known as mahouts. But he wanted to witness the journey — one that begins by training an elephant to get into a truck.

Some of the elephants had traveled hundreds of miles to reach the camp, he said. “So I wanted to see what the preparation is.”

To read the rest of the article click on this link here.

Several Elephants getting a hose down

A worker's turn to "water-up"

Rukku on Girivalam Pathway 2012

I am reposting the below series of photographs taken on July 15, 2012 while Rukku was walking on the Girivalam Pathway on her way to preside at a function at Adiannamalai Temple, located at the Northwest side of the Hill. 

Just want to show her happy and out and about. 

Now you are fully free. Be Happy. 

More News of Rukku’s Death

Rukku was brought to Arunachaleswarar Temple at the very young age of 3 years. She remained alone and in service at the Temple for 27 years after she had been given to the Temple by the Tamil Nadu Government

Her death is believed to have occurred as a result of  injuries sustained when she was being walked on her way to her enclosure. While walking through the Temple’s fifth prakaram a pack of dogs barked and ran towards it. Rukku tried to run away and hit a barricade. The mahout and a few others managed to calm her and gave her water. After a while, she was taken to her shed. However, Rukku panicked when a dog ran towards it. When she tried to run away, she hit a tin sheet and sustained multiple injuries.

Temple authorities engaged a veterinarian, however Rukku died within two hours of the accident. 15 days before her 30th birthday

She was laid to rest near Anjeneyar Temple (Vada Othavadai Street) in the afternoon after a team of six veterinarians performed a postmortem.

A senior forest department official said they had collected samples of vital organs for a detailed analysis to ascertain the cause of the death. “It will take two week to get the report,” added the official.

Hundreds of devotees and residents of Tiruvannamalai paid homage to their beloved elephant whom they called ‘Rukku’. One of the priests in the temple said Rukku was gentle. “The sudden death of the elephant disturbs us. We offered special prayers.” 

[Abridged from report in Times of India]

Rukku goes on Holiday

In 2013 and 2014 our 28 year old Rukku, the Arunachaleswarar Temple Elephant, participated in the Rejuvenation Camp in the forests of Tamil Nadu; which occurred directly after the end of the Karthigai Mahadeepam Arunachala Festival.

At the camp in 2014 she joined with 30 elephants from Temples throughout Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. However after the 2015 Deepam, when she was probably expecting her “time away” nothing happened. I worried whether she would go on her yearly jaunt. Happily the Rejuvenation Camp went ahead, but in January 2016 instead of December 2015. 

The 48-day-long Rejuvenation Camp is being held at the foot of the Nilgris Hills on the banks of the Bhavani River at Thekkampatti near Mettuppalayam. This year there are 43 elephants attending the rejuvenation camp; two of whom hail from Pondicherry. 

Rukku on her way to the 2016 Rejuvenation Camp (i.e. elephant party-time!)

Thus in the very early morning of January 7, 2016 sweet Rukku loaded up on the back of a lorry for the eighth time to set off for Camp. It was reported that her “exit” weight was 4,800 kgs which she is sure to increase as a result of all the good food and snacks she will eat at Camp. 

At Camp all the elephants will be given special food and medicines and have their health carefully monitored by a battery of veterinary doctors and elephant specialists. 

On reaching the Campsite it has been reported that the elephants arrived cheerful and happy with no sign of fatigue or tiredness owing to the long distance they had travelled at the back of their individual lorries. Simple. They must know its “PARTY TIME”. 

Have a lovely holiday all of you, specially to our own dearest Rukku. 

The 2015 Arunachala Karthigai Deepam Cauldron

Early morning on the 8th day of the 2015 Karthigai Deepam Festival, puja was performed to the cauldron before it started its long journey to the top of the Hill. Lovely Rukku, our Elephant was on hand to lend her own regal blessings to proceedings. As is traditionally the case the Cauldron was taken up the Hill by locals of the Fishing Caste. 

The Cauldron after cleaning and painting

Lovely Rukku, adding her own substantial Blessings to the proceedings

After Puja, the long journey starts to the top of Arunachala

Leaving the Temple at the Pey Gopuram Gate (West Gate)

The men of the Fishing Caste on their way to the top of the Hill

Their long haul upward

The Wick for the Cauldron, at the Temple waiting to be transported up the Hilll

Just a small part of the ghee that will be used in the Cauldron over the Festival

Some devotees choose to purchase ghee directly from a Temple Shop

Rukku Goes on Vacation

Now that her onerous 2014 Mahadeepam Festival duties are complete, around December 6th our girl Rukku happily left Arunachaleswarar Temple by the Peyogopuram Gate. She is on her way by lorry to the annual 48-day rejuvenation camp for Temple elephants held in Tamil Nadu. 

Watch those ears going through the Gate Rukku

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY PRECIOUS

Some friends at the Camp

Day One 2014 Deepam Festival -- Panchamoorthy Silver Vimana procession

This first day of Karthigai Deepam Festival (November 26, 2014) began this morning with the hosting of the flag (Dwajaroghanam) outside the Siva Sannidhi, signifying the commencement of the Festival. At the ceremony, the flag was hoisted amongst Vedic chanting and nagaswara music (drums and cymbals). The priests then invited the sacred rivers, deities and rishis to come and witness the occasion. 

Rukku -- Our Prized Temple Elephant leading the Panchamoorthies

After conclusion of the ceremony the Panchamurtis were taken around the perimeter streets surrounding the Temple (Vetthis Mada) and then installed in the Kalyana Mandapam located in the third prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple where Deeparadhana took place. 

Carrying the Gods through the Temple

In this and other processions throughout the Festival, the Panchamurthis are: Vinayagar, Lord Annamalaiyar, Goddess Unnamulaiyar, Lord Subramanya and Sri Chandikeswarar (representing all devotees). 

Exiting Temple through gate next to Rajagopuram

To find out more about Sri Chandikeswar and how he was elevated to his high position: 

Panchamoorthies Darshan

”Shiva was pleased with the devotion of this boy and he appeared in person along with Parvati his consort, before the boy. Shiva embraced him and made him in charge of his ganas (devotees or followers). He was also made the steward of his household, naming him Chandikeswara.” 

Visit this earlier posting at this link here. 

Procession of Panchamoorthies around Temple

An Ordinary Day in a Temple Town

The below video was shot in 2003, but is very topical, and everything looks much the same now as it does in the film. Below the film I have listed various activities and the time they appear on the video. Its a well shot film and gives an accurate idea of an ordinary day at this Temple town. 

0.00 Sadhus chanting at Ganeshan Temple, Pallakottu Tank with scenes off the girivalam roadway 

2.35 Sadhus bathing in Tank, sadhus 

3.40 Sadhus feeding Ramana Ashram 

3.45 to 5.10 Ceremony Arunachaleswarar Temple 

5.50 Creating Deepams Mahashivaratri, Arunachaleswarar Temple 

7.25 Rukku Temple Elephant 

7.45 Puja at Ramana Maharshi’s Samadhi, and Mother’s Shrine Ramana Ashram 

9.27 Big Temple 

9.30 Ladies, street scenes 

10.05 Hanuman actor performing on streets 

10.40 Bullock cart and street scenes 

Our Rukku

Rukku, our beautiful female elephant residing at Arunachaleswarar Temple who is now around 15 years old was born in the Mudumalai Theppakadu Elephant Camp. The below extract from the data base of Elephant News, is for all intents and purposes Rukku's birth certificate, which you can view at this link here.

To all elephant lovers, make sure to visit the absolute Elephant information encyclopedia and database at this link here. 

Around December 19, 2014 Rukku left the Temple and Tiruvannamalai on her way to a six week rejuvenation camp. To read an earlier posting go to my narrative at this link here. 

There are many interested parties around India working to win freedom for all captive elephants which also includes Temple Elephants. So maybe one day our sweet Rukku will be allowed to make a journey to the Reserve Forests without having to return to a captive life.

The next three photographs are of Rukku's return from Holiday at the Rejuvenation Camp. 

Oh! dear, back to work

If only my holiday would last forever

Thought I would never see that stick again!

Last week I escorted 12 participants of the Padma Torsten 2014 Retreat on a tour of Arunachaleswarar Temple. I explained to members of the group (before we visited the Temple) that Rukku is a captive sentient being and it is perhaps inappropriate to visit her looking to see party tricks. In this respect most elephants in this country are trained to take money from a person's hand, pass the coin to the mahout (trainer) and then touch the supplicant's head with the trunk. 

My suggestion to the group was instead of going to the Temple making demands on the poor creature, we should instead go with treats and joy and give gentle Rukku some group love. After intense Googling to discover the favoured snacks of Elephants, we turned up at the Temple with a four kg mix of delicious Elephant-friendly treats. After permission from the mahout, we happily hand fed our dear Rukku.

Rukku

Snack time for our girl

Rukku Gone on Holiday

On December 19, Rukku our 15 year old female elephant from Arunachaleswarar Temple started off from Arunachaleswar Temple in the back of a lorry on her way to her 48 day vacation. This is her fourth such vacation, and from all reports boarded the transport lorry very enthusiastically. 

Rukku having bath at Temple

This holiday is part of a yearly elephant rejuvenation camp started in 2003 at Mudumalai (Theppakadu) sanctuary by the Chief Minister J Jayalaitha. In 2012-13, the rejuvenation camp was shifted to Thekkampatty in Mettupalayam on the banks of Bhavani. 

As many as 43 elephants from Temples and Mutts and for the first time 55 elephants maintained by the Forest Department will participate in the camp to be held for 48 days. 

Our Rukku

Have a Wonder-filled Holiday sweet Rukku.

Our Rukku

Right Click on all photographs for enlargement: 

The below series of photographs of sweet Rukku, from Arunachaleswarar Temple, was taken last Sunday July 15, 2012 while Rukku was walking on the Girivalam Pathway on her way from the Arunachaleswarar Temple located Southeast of Tiruvannamalai on her way to Adiannamalai Temple, located at the Northwest side of the Hill. 

They say elephants never forget -- well it seems that might be true, and my visits to her at the Big Temple with snacks and treats of cabbages and carrots were rewarded by a very nice series of poses. Specially like the loving eye contact of this last photo.

Rukku's Holiday

Right click on photographs for enlargement


Well the below two photographs are enough to warm the coldest heart. Dear Rukku, the Arunachaleswarar Temple Elephant, is boarding a truck on her way to Theppakadu and a well deserved 48 day vacation.







There will be 36 other elephants at the forest, 35 females and one male, to fun and frolic with, and this is not the first time Rukku has had a vacation from Temple duties, so she will already be familiar with many of the elephants that she will reunite with at Theppakadu, the place which also happens to be where she was born.






It does look like the truck could have been bigger, its going to be somewhat cramped for her on her journey, but no doubt her excitement will buoy her right along.


HAPPY HOLIDAY SWEET RUKKU

Temple elephants embark on a vacation

37 temple elephants have been transported to Theppakadu at Mudumalai Reserve Forest for a 48 day vacation. Our own Rukku from Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, is part of the vacationing group. In fact for Rukku this is returning home, because Theppakadu is the place where she was born, and where her mother still lives.

The trip took a couple of days and necessitated the elephants travelling in trucks. Some of them were not willing to step into the trucks, and mahouts had a difficult time pacifying the elephants and getting them on board.

A team of 5 doctors from the forest department and animal husbandry department has been deployed to provide round the clock medical aid. And in addition a team of five elephant experts from Kerala, will inspect the camp periodically.




Sweet Rukku, at Arunachaleswarar Temple



The vacationing elephants will be given a rejuvenation diet, basically green fodder including sugar cane, sorghum and cariota leaves. The mahouts and temple authorities will be trained on elephant management to make sure the temple elephants live a stress-free life post-rejuvenation camp, wildlife officials said.

It makes me happy that there is a least this small beginning in trying to improve what is currently an abysmal quality of life for Temple Elephants.

Have a lovely holiday sweet Rukku.

Bath Time

Right click on all photographs to see enlarged version



Today was the first time in a while that I've visited Arunachaleswarar Temple. I started off at the old office, and took a nice photograph of an 1856 drawing of the Temple and mountain that was on the wall of the office.









On my way out of the Temple compound stopped off at the gokulam, home of the Temple cows and calves. Luckily it was time for Rukku's (the Temple Elephant) bath. So stopped and enjoyed her delight in getting a long hard scrub and wash down by her three minders.







As is apparent from my earlier postings of Rukku, I don't agree that highly intelligent, familial, social creatures such as elephants should be ripped from their natural homes and be kept prisoner in zoos, circuses or Temples. To get a better idea of Rukku's life check out my earlier posting here and a narrative about the life of Temple Elephants here and of Elephant cruelty here.

However it was evident from Rukku's enjoyment that bath time is definitely a treasured highlight of her day. So I appreciated the opportunity to observe this sweet elephant's delight.








Her three minders did their work with gusto and were obviously expert in finding all those itchy places that needed a good scrub.








I totally believe she was hamming it up for the camera. They say that elephants have an extraordinary memory and maybe sweet Rukku was rewarding me for all those carrots and cabbages I've brought for her in the past.







There was a time when Rukku's mahout would bring her to a water tank on the Chengam Road in Ramana Nagar, where she would daily enjoy full immersion and scrub down inside the deep waters of the tank. Nowadays not only have her treats become restricted but also her personal space has shrunk to a tiny sandpit in which she is forced to stand endlessly day after day begging for money in her trunk after placing it on the heads of visiting pilgrims.









I've been told that Temples endeavour to get female elephants that aren't the brightest, because smart elephants cannot tolerate the boredom, lack of exercise and isolation from their own kind without going absolutely mad . . . and Temple elephants going berserk happens much more than realised.








I'm praying that the next Tamil Nadu Chief Minister gets re-involved with all the good work started by Jayalalitha and her mission to ensure that Temple Elephants in this State have fastly improved lives -- including a yearly six week holiday in the forests and jungles.








Well the bath is over and now a nice snack of Ragi Balls.












OH! YUMMY!