Guest guest Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 http://www.ndtv.com/features/showfeatures.asp?slug=Guruvayur+temple+to+woo+visit\ ors & Id=1346 KERALA, INDIA, August 3, 2006: Ever since 1975, a compound attached to the Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur has been home for captive elephants donated to the temple by patrons. The compound is now home for 65 elephants who are cared for by 200 mahouts. Recognizing an opportunity, the Kerala Tourism Department wants to convert the elephant yard into a tourist attraction. With support from the state government to the tune of US$1.1 million, visitors will have a chance to watch the pachyderms bathe, feed the elephants and watch how they are cared for. The news release explains further, " Hundreds of thousands of devotees come to Guruvayur temple every year, and each one makes it a point to visit this elephant yard here. Each of the 65 elephants were an offering at the Guruvayur temple made by devotees including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha and Malayalam superstar Suresh Gopi. Due to lack of space, temple authorities have now stopped accepting elephants as offerings. Authorities say maintaining them is a huge task, the pachyderms consume 11,000 kgs of palm leaves and 5,000 kg of hybrid grass each day besides tons of bananas and rice. Around 30,000 litres of water is required everyday to bathe the elephants, which is done by 200 mahouts. The Devaswom Board spends $3.3 million each year -- that's $51,000/elephant -- for their upkeep and is now looking forward to their elephants becoming a major tourist attraction. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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