Punnathur Aanakotta, Elephant sanctuary in Chavakkad, India
Punnathur Aanakotta is an elephant sanctuary in Chavakkad, Kerala, set within coconut groves and home to around 60 temple elephants. The grounds have shelters, care areas, and training zones laid out across open land shaded by palms.
The site was originally a palace belonging to a local ruler before it was turned into a care facility for temple elephants. That change brought together animals that had previously been kept separately across different temples in the region.
The elephants here belong to temples from across the region and return to them regularly for religious festivals. During the daily care routines, visitors can watch how mahouts build a close bond with each animal over time.
Comfortable shoes and sun protection are helpful, as much of the site is open and only partly shaded by palms. Visiting in the early morning gives you the best chance to see the elephants active and the grounds less crowded.
The site has a traditional mahout training school where old methods of animal handling are still actively taught to new generations. This makes it one of the few places in India where this knowledge is passed on in a structured and ongoing way.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
