In order to put an end to the practice of offering elephants to various temples, the Kerala High Court on Friday suggested that such offerings should be done symbolically.
The court asked the Devaswom Boards to form an opinion regarding the matter. The court also observed that any person who wishes to contribute to the idea should file the applications before August 8.
The court held that the price of an elephant should be fixed at a particular amount decided by the different Devaswom Boards. A devotee desirous of such an offering can remit the amount, thereby symbolically ‘offering’ an elephant already belonging to the Devaswom Board. The ‘Nadayiruppu’ ritual can then be carried out.
The Devaswom Bench passed the order while considering a suo motu case initiated in connection with the cruelty meted out to the elephants. The court further observed that such an Act would prevent the increase of the elephant population under the Devaswom Boards. “In the long run, it will help in the better management of the herd held captive by the Devaswoms,” the court said. The Bench further asked all the Devaswoms to publish the copies of the order for public information.
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