Elephant feeding' ritual at Kerala temple

Thrissur, Jul 16 (UNI) Thousands of devotees and elephant lovers, including foreign tourists, witnessed the 'anayootu' (elephant feeding) ceremony held at the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple here today.

Fortyfive elephants, including calves, participated in the function organised by the temple committee in connection with the beginning of the Malayalam month of Karkkadakam today.

Also called 'Ramayana month', it is devoted to prayers and rituals and the reading of the epic in houses and temples.

An 'ashtadravya mahaganapathy homam' was also performed in the temple to propitiate Lord Ganesha.

Nearly 10,000 coconuts, 2,000 kg ghee, honey, rice flakes, sugarcane, lemon and other offerings were used in the 'homam.' UNI XR ARC GM RL HS1848