Abhirami, the elephant of Amritakadeshwar Temple in Tirukadaiyur in Nagapattinam district, became the first to reach the annual rejuvenation camp beginning tomorrow at Thekkamapatti near Mettupalayam in the district.

As many as 33 elephants from different temples and mutts across Tamil Nadu are expected at the 48-day camp, a pet project of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Eight elephants have reached the specially erected camp, official sources said.

The first five camps were held at Theppakkadu in Mudumalal Tiger Reserve in Nilgiris district and this is the fifth being held in Thekkampatti, on the banks of Bhavani river, some 50 km from here.

All the elephants are expected to reach late in the evening to the camp organised by HR and CE department of Tamil Nadu Government.

Besides facilities for the mahouts accompanying the elephants, the camp has a special kitchen, dining hall and high mast lamp posts, shower baths and the premises was protected by a solar fence, particularly to prevent the entry of wild elephants from nearby jungles, sources said.

The camp will be inaugurated by HR and CE Minister Sevvur S Ramachandran in the presence of Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani, Forest Minister Dindigul Srinivasan, District Collector TN Hariharan and senior department officials.