We are Hindus by birth and practice. We are all devotees of Sri Guruvayurappan. We are also proud that Hinduism exhorts the most divine principles like, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu, ultimately aiming at Universal Love, Harmony, and Happiness. Guruvayur Temple is having the largest collection of elephants, numbering more than 60, in private possession in the world; all donations from devotees. Apart from the way these majestic children of Mother Nature are treated, the very concept of using hapless animals for our prayers and poojas is disturbing and right in contrast to the above divine principles. However the use of bonded elephants in temple rituals and festivals became a practice and it may not be practical to stop it all of a sudden. This is to request to the authorities concerned that: 1. As an exemplary step, all elephants in excess of the minimum required for the daily poojas and rituals in Guruvayur Temple should be handed over to Elephant Sanctuaries maintained by the Government of Kerala, so that at lest a good number of them will be released from their shackles and they can once again enjoy their wild life. All the expenses required for the same should be born by the Guruvayur Devaswom as these elephants belong to Guruvayurappan. All the mahouts thus becoming excess should be absorbed in permanent service for Temple Security duties so that their services will not be misused by other elephant owners. 2. The remaining elephants will have more space in the Punnathur Ana Kota so that the present practice of tying them tightly on two diagonally opposite legs can be stopped. Each one of them can be tied to a single peg so that they will get some minimum freedom to move around the peg. 3. Also, these remaining elephants may be sent to the nearest Elephant Sanctuary for periods of 3 to 6 months, in rotation, for temporary release from their shackles and rejuvenation. All in service of Sri Guruvayurappan, Regards,

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