Chennai, Dec 14 (IANS)

The annual vacation and rejuvation camp for 98 elephants belonging to various temples, mutts and forest department in Tamil Nadu would begin next week.

The 98 elephants - 43 belonging to temples and mutts and 55 belonging to forest department - will go on 48-day-long wellness camp, starting Dec 19, near Vana Bhadrakali Amman temple near Coimbatore, an official statement said Saturday, adding the measure was ordered by Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa.

At the camp, the elephants will not only undergo monitoring of their physical and mental health but they will also be given special food so as to rejuvenate them.

The mahouts would also be trained on maintaining the animals.

The total cost for the current year's camp is estimated at Rs.1.53 crore. The bill will be footed by the state government.

The elephant rejuvenation camp will conclude Feb 4, 2014.