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PUNNATHOOR KOTTA DRAWS INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION

This 'aanakotta' or 'anathavalam' is located in Kottappadi;about 2Km away from the famous Guruvayoor Temple, provides home to more than 62 elephants offered by the devotees to the Guruvayoor temple  at different point of time. Earlier this Kotta was punnathur palace and now it is owned by  Guruvayur Devaswom.  it is a 10 acre compound, rich with greenery.

The Guruvayoor devaswom is a major provider of elephants for various festivals in Kerala. The elephant stock at punnathoor kotta comprises six cow elephants, two mozha(tusklessmales) and 54 bulls or tuskers.65 year old GURUVAYOOR PADMANABHAN considered to be the most magnificent among devaswom jumbos.'Gajapooja' worshipping of elephents and 'anayoottu' feeding of elephants are observed here.

Rejuvantion Therapy(Sukha Chikitsa)

At Punnathur Kotta Elephants undergo the Rejuvantion Therapy for One month starting from July first. Guruvayoor Devaswom administration started this therapy 20 years ago.  During this session elephants will be free from their daily duties.  The treatment starts with the deworming medicines in the first week of June.  The weight of the elephants will be taken before and after the treatment.  The feed given to each of the elephant will be directly  proportional to  their weight.The jumbos will be given a balanced diet along with ayurvedic and allopathic medicines.  The balanced diet comprises rice, lentils, mineral mixture, ragi, turmeric powder, ghee, chyvanaprasham, ashtachoornam and Liv 52. A detailed bath in the morning is also a part of the treatment.  The elephants are given maximum rest during this period. A weight gain of 250Kg to 300 Kg has been noticed among some elephants after the treatment.  Senior Veterinary Doctors  Dr.K.C.Panicker and  Muraleedharan Nambiar supervise the treatment.  Apart from these experts Avanapparambu Maheswaran Namboothirippad will also have frequent visits to the kotta during this treatment.

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