This July 20, the Njangattiri Bhagavathi Temple at Pattambi in the Palakkad district of Kerala will be the venue for the Aanayoottu ritual or Elephant Feeding Festival. In the Aanayoottu (Aanayoottu meaning feeding of elephants) ceremony, the elephants are fed specially medicated food. The ceremony is based on the principles of Ayurveda which consider the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam as a month of rejuvenation. During this festival, the elephants are lined up in a row in the temple premises and are offered delicious and healthy food. Being a sacred animal, feeding elephants is also considered auspicious according to Hindu mythology and culture. Scores of people throng the temple premises to feed the elephants.