A 48-day elephant rejuvenation camp began at Thekkampatti, near Mettupalayam in Coimbatore Tamil Nadu, India on Sunday (December 15).

The video, filmed on Wednesday (December 18) shows men washing the animals and decorating them with paint and jewellery.

The 12th annual rejuvenation camp, organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, will house 28 temple and mutt elephants from across the state.

The estimated cost of this 48-day-long rejuvenation camp will be ₹1.5 crore (161,200 GBP) and will conclude on January 31, 2020.

M. Senthil Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, said that the Forest Department will set up eight watchtowers to monitor the camp. Foresters, forest guards and anti-poaching watchers will routinely inspect the camp every day in mornings and evenings.

"Vehicles, torch lights, walkie talkies and fireworks have been provided by the Department,” he said.

48 days Temple elephant Rejuvenation camp begins at Thekkampatti across Bhavani river in Mettupalayam .
28 temple elephants from various temples across Tamil nadu taking part in the rejuvenation camp.
This camp is organised by HRNC Tamil Nadu.

Filmed & DOP BY DURGESH KUMAR YELLAPPA
Megha India Photo Agency (Mipanews.com)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Elephants all set for rejuvenation at Thekkampatti camp With the arrival of 26 elephants, the 12th annual rejuvenation camp for temple and mutt elephants in the State began at Thekkampatti, near Mettupalayam in Coimbatore Tamil Nadu India on 15 December

Organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, the camp will house 28 elephants from across the State, two of which will arrive at the camp from Puducherry by Monday, HR&CE officials said.

K. Phanindra Reddy, HR&CE Commissioner, inaugurated the camp, The estimated cost of this 48-day-long rejuvenation camp will be ₹1.5 crore, which will be borne by the government, according to the officials. The rejuvenation camp will conclude on January 31, 2020.

M. Senthil Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, said that the Forest Department will set up eight watchtowers to monitor the camp. Foresters, forest guards and anti-poaching watchers will routinely inspect the camp every day in mornings and evenings. “Vehicles, torch lights, walkie talkies and fireworks have been provided by the HR&CE Department,” Mr. Kumar said. Electric fencing works around the camp site will also be completed at the earliest, he said. Out of the 28 elephants, 21 were from the temples in Tamil Nadu, five were from mutts and two were from the temples in Puducherry.

The camp, an initiative by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, is being held in Thekkampatti since 2012.