Akila, a female elephant living in Thiruvananaikaaval temple, seemed overjoyed to get her first dip in a large new pool built for her.

The inaugural splash was on Wednesday 23 June in the grounds of the temple in Trichy district in Tamil Nadu.

Temple administrators had already built a small pool but it was not really big enough for the elephant.

Knowing this, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Trichy district paid for a larger pond to be built.

The new pool is 21 feet (6.4m) wide and long and 6 feet (1.8m) deep, with a slope to allow the elephant to climb in and out. The elephant can also be showered before entering.

Akila is a female temple elephant that is living in Thiruvananaikaaval temple of Trichy district in Tamilnadu.

Temple adminstration already built a small swimming pool like structure but it was not enough for the elephant.

Knowing this Assistant Commissioner of Police Trichy district came forward to bear the expenses of constructing a big swimming pool for the elephant.

A pool with 21 feet length and 21 feet width and 6 feet deep was constructed. Now the elephant Akila happily takes bath in the pool...

It has a sloppy surface to get down the pool and to climb up the pool after taking bath. It also has a shower earlier