INDIA | Tuesday, 22 December 2009 | Views [2280]
While we waited for Trichy's Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeshwara Temple to re-open after lunch, we were befriended by a young elephant keeper. Many temples in South India honor the deity Ganesh with blessing-giving elephants. You offer the elephant a few rupees and the elephant touches its trunk to your head. We were worried about how they are treated -- but our hour spent with Shakti the Elephant and his trainer proved a deep love and a deep commitment between human and animal. Shakti is truly one of the family -- and an incredibly sweet and intelligent being!