The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Board organised Pongal celebration at the elephant rejuvenation camp at Thekkampatti near Mettupalayam on Tuesday.
After a bath in River Bhavani, the 34 temple and math elephants were decorated and lined up at the Vinayakar thidal.
Lakshmi, an 11-year-old elephant from Aravindalochanar temple in Erattai Thirupatti near Srivaikundam in Tirunelveli district was made to garland the Vinayakar idol at the camp.
HR & CE Commissioner P. Dhanapal, Joint Commissioner Natarajan took part in the celebration. Pongal was given to all the elephants.
Prizes
Mr. Dhanapal distributed new clothes to the mahouts and cavadis besides prizes to those who won various competitions held ahead of the celebration.
Similar celebration was also organised at Vilamarathur elephant camp across River Bhavani, where the 18 kumki elephants were undergoing rejuvenation.
