JLR K-Gudi Elephant bathing

Elephant ride was supposed to part of our package (subject to availability) when we stayed at Jungle Lodges and Resorts, K Gudi (stands for Kyata Devara Gudi), B R Hills, but the ride was denied on the reasoning that two female elephants are over aged and 2 male elephants are in their heating period…

However during my afternoon walk we spotted this elephant having its bath. The scene immediately took me back to Dubare Elephant camp, Coorg, where tourists can bath the tuskers… 

Two caretakers were bathing the elephant. What they were doing in reality was scrubbing the body (the super thick skin) with some rough stones and brushes. What caught my attention was severely torn dresses of these mahuts (Kannada word for elephant caretaker). May be they were paid so little that they can’t afford better dresses or may be they don’t prefer new dresses since dresses are bound to get torn while walking in deep forests or may be these guys are spending their income on arrack.

I too ventured into the water and tried my hand cleaning this king sized animal. As I went little more into the water the mahut warned me to step back, saying if elephant gets up I’ll be under its leg. Just when I moved back the unthinkable happened- Elephant got up to change sides…

Every evening these elephants are let free into the forest and they roam around freely. Next morning caretakers go to forest and fetch them back. These are highly domesticated elephants and do not mind when people go up close. During our jungle safari a few of them came very close to the jeep, probably anticipating some food. During the annual event of Mysore Dasara, elephants from these camps are taken to Mysore for procession.(julus/meravanige)

Sadly I am not able to recall the names of these elephants and their caretakers. For the local people, dealing with these elephants is as easy as dealing with dogs and cats. Often we outsiders get frightened and end up scaring these animals.