It's rejuvenation time for jumbos of Guruvayur Devaswom
Revenue Minister K. Rajan formally inaugurated the month-long wellness programme by feeding medicinal rice balls (oushadha chooru) to tuskers Vinayakan and Junior Vishnu. The initiative, aimed at promoting the health and vitality of temple elephants, continues with all elephants receiving similar treatment.
The event was presided over by Guruvayur Devaswom chairman Dr. V.K. Vijayan, with MLA N.K. Akbar as the chief guest.
35 Years of Wellness
The Guruvayur Devaswom has been conducting this scientific wellness regimen for over 35 years. Though the practice existed during the Zamorin era, it was formally structured into a scientific programme in the 1990s. The therapy includes a specially prepared herbal and nutritional diet, physical exercises, and Ayurvedic treatments tailored to each elephant's specific condition.
Blood and dung samples are collected for lab tests to assess liver and kidney function, and pre-therapy purgation medicines are administered. The regimen also involves regular massages and bathing rituals. A team of veterinary experts, including Dr. P.B. Giridas, Dr. T.S. Rajeev, Dr. M.N. Devan Namboothiri, and Dr. K. Vivek, supervise the programme.
Veterinary specialists have noted significant health improvements among the elephants following therapy, with visible changes in skin condition and a weight gain of up to 300 kg in some cases. The Guruvayur model is now considered a benchmark in elephant care and wellness, according to devaswom sources .
Therapy budget
The estimated cost for this year's therapy is ₹12.5 lakh, covering the needs of 36 elephants. Key ingredients include 3,240 kg of rice, 1,080 kg each of green gram and finger millet (ragi), 108 kg each of turmeric powder and Ashtachoornam, 270 kg of Chyavanaprasam, along with minerals and purgative herbal formulations.
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