TRICHY: The Hindu religious and charitable endowment (HR&CE) department on Friday inaugurated a walking track and a huge bathing tank for the two temple elephants of Srirangam Arulmigu Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy. The temple has two elephants - Andal and Premi alias Lakshmi .
As per the guidelines from the Madras high court and based on the announcement made in the state assembly, a bathing tank with a capacity to store three lakh litre of water was inaugurated at Udayavar Thoppu on Kollidam flood bank road, a 5.48-acre grove owned by the HR&CE department. The facility was built at a cost of ₹11.3 lakh through donors and ₹75,000 from the HR&CE.
"Both the jumbos were elated after taking a dip in a massive tank. They appeared quite rejuvenated as if they were at a rehabilitation camp in a forest," K Rajesh, mahout of Andal told TOI.
S Marimuthu, joint commissioner of the temple said that natural food for the jumbos is being provided based on the advice of the forest department.
