Gowri, the elephant to be back at Nanjangud Temple in June

Nanjangud: Gowri, the 39-year-old elephant of Sri Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple here, which was sent to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Malur in Kolar district for treatment 18 months ago as she was injured on her legs, will be back at the Temple soon.

Gowri was injured on both her legs and was unable to move around. Despite regular treatment by the veterinarians, the injuries did not heal and Gowri began  to suffer more.

Following directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), the Temple authorities and the Forest Department personnel transported Gowri in a truck to the Rehab Centre in Malur. Gowri was accompanied by Mahouts Pyare Jaan and Basheer Gadekar. As Gowri is fully recovered, she is expected to return to the Temple in the first week of June.

While at the Temple, Gowri used to fetch water from Kapila River for the abhisheka of the presiding deity every day and used to take part in various religious rituals at the Temple besides taking part in Jathra Mahotsavas and had become a part of the Temple.

She also used to provide entertainment to the devotees and pose for photos and for paintings by children during holidays.

But since 18 months, the shed in front of the Temple, where Gowri used to stay, was empty and devotees, school children and others who used to frequently visit Gowri, were returning disappointed. In the recently held Dodda Jathra too, the absence of Gowri was deeply felt.

Gowri, which was brought to Nanjangud Temple in 1988, was sent to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Malur in Kolar district for treatment. The injuries on her legs are healed and she is healthy. Gowri would be brought back to the Temple in the first week of June.

—H.M. Kumaraswamy, Nanjangud Temple Executive Officer