Luxury holiday reward for temple’s tired elephants

Resident elephants at a Hindu temple in southern India are on a month-long holiday during which they are pampered with special meals and massages to help them rejuvenate from their duties at the shrine.

Forty-six of 63 jumbos at the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple in Kerala state were on the 'spa holiday,' temple officials said.

The rejuvenation package includes medical care and herbal treatments, a nourishing diet, exercise and refreshing splashes.

The pachyderms generally gain 250 to 500 kilos by the time their vacation is over.

The elephants enjoy three hour-long ayurvedic baths that include massages.

The elephants will report back for work after July 30 when their holiday ends.