Gentle Giants : Sakrebyle Elephant Camp

 I have a cherished memory from my hometown when I rode an elephant for the first time in my life during my childhood. Elephants, those magnificent and incredible creatures, have always held a special place in my heart. The memory of that first encounter has stayed with me.

During that time, it was common for small towns to have traveling circuses, and offering elephant rides to the public was a way for them to earn extra money. With my mother's help, I climbed onto the back of one of these gentle giants, joining a group of kids from our neighborhood for a short but amazing ride. It felt like a dream come true, and my love for elephants grew even stronger.

Years later, I learned about Sakrebyle Elephant Camp from an Instagram post. It's a place in Shivamoga where you can not only see these incredible creatures up close but also get the chance to bathe and play with them. It was an opportunity I didn't want to miss. I quickly checked for train tickets and set a date for my trip. It was going to be a completely new experience.

I was busy with my classes, and money was tight, so my friend and I decided to make it a same-day trip. It might have seemed a bit rushed, but we were determined to make it work.

In the days leading up to the trip, I couldn't contain my excitement. The thought of being close to these magnificent animals, bathing and playing with them, filled me with happiness. I knew this adventure would create memories that I would cherish forever.

We started our adventure by boarding the Mysuru Talguppa Express from KSR Station and reached Shivamoga bright and early at 5 am. The world was still waking up around us, and it felt a bit too early to start our journey to the Sakrebyle Elephant Camp. With time to spare, we decided to wait until we could kick off our expedition.

Navigating our way to the camp was a bit of a puzzle since there wasn't much information available online about transportation options. Determined to find our way, we made our way to the local bus stand. It was around 7 am when we hopped into an auto-rickshaw to reach the bus stand. The cool morning breeze brushed against our faces as we set out on this quest.

Upon arrival at the bus stand, we discovered that there would be a bit of a wait for the next bus heading to the elephant camp. Our excitement was palpable, and patience was in short supply. The aroma of breakfast wafted from a nearby restaurant. Unable to resist, we decided to savor a hearty breakfast while we waited.

However, our eagerness soon got the better of us. We couldn't bear to wait any longer. Without further ado, we hailed an auto-rickshaw, and the meter clicked away as we sped towards our destination. The fare amounted to 250 rupees as the lush green surroundings of Shimogga passed by us in a blur. With each passing moment, the anticipation of meeting those magnificent creatures grew stronger, and we knew that the day ahead was going to be truly extraordinary.

We entered the Sakrebyle Elephant Camp, paying for our tickets and an additional one for the privilege of bathing the elephants. We had arrived early, and at that moment, there were only two elephants present, but the place was buzzing with visitors.The experience began with people eagerly taking pictures beside the elephants, forming a queue to participate. After some time, the elephants were led to the nearby Tungabhadra River for their bath. It was a truly incredible sight to behold.

We took off our shoes to get ready for the bathing experience, and each visitor was assigned one elephant to bathe. Our elephant's name was Krishna, which was quite a coincidence because one of my friends, who loves elephants and had wanted to join us but couldn't, is also named Krishna. It was a little strange at first as we touched the tough and wrinkled skin of the elephant while trying to wash it. The helper and the mahout (the elephant caretaker) guided us to become more comfortable with Krishna. They even invited us to sit on Krishna's front leg as the elephant posed for photos, raising its majestic trunk. The wet elephant looked adorable, and we relished every moment of its bath on that sunny day. The small hairs on its head were comical as we playfully stroked them with our hands.

As more time passed, more elephants began to arrive, around 15 to 20 of them, each of different sizes. They all entered the water, and it was evident that they were well-trained and enjoyed our company. Some of them playfully moved their trunks to pat our heads or even sprinkled water on everyone around. Occasionally, they would simply lie down and relish their bath, showing a strong bond with their helpers. It was a heartwarming display of a deep connection between humans and these incredible creatures.

Although the water had become somewhat dirty due to the presence of animal feces and dirt, and it didn't smell very pleasant, we managed to overlook those inconveniences to be closer to these amazing elephants. The experience was truly unforgettable, and we cherished every moment of it.

While we were in the water with the other elephants, we came across a smaller, jolly elephant who was playfully following and interacting with the bigger ones. Sadly, we weren't allowed to touch this young elephant since it was still in training. So, we decided to step out of the water to meet the other elephants that had finished their baths. They stood behind a fence, each one assigned a name.

There, we met a majestic elephant named Nethravati. She was enormous yet exuded a remarkable calmness. What caught our eye was the Om symbol marked on her head, which was truly astonishing. Her mahout instructed her to place her trunk on my head, giving us what felt like a blessing. She also displayed some impressive stunts and playfully interacted with our hats. Next to Nethravati, we encountered Raghavendra, the tallest of all the elephants. He was quiet and had a wound on his trunk. His mahout cared for him with a fatherly affection that was heartwarming to witness. Behind them, two baby elephants engaged in playful antics, emitting adorable squeaks and sounds that filled the air.

We struck up conversations with some of the helpers at the camp, learning about how these elephants were taken care of and the bonds they shared with their mahouts. Touched by their stories and wanting to contribute, my friend and I donated some money for the well-being of Nethravati and Raghavendra.

Our childhood memories beckoned, and we decided to relive them by purchasing a ticket for an elephant ride. As we embarked on the ride, a light drizzle began, and the sun hid behind the clouds. The experience rekindled cherished memories from the past.

As the day drew to a close, it was time to bid farewell to the elephants. But not before one last adventure—a boat ride on the Tungabhadra River. The crowd was large, and we had to wait for our turn. It nearly led to an argument as some people tried to cut in line. The weather couldn't decide between drizzling rain and bursts of sunshine, and we had become a bit smelly from the dirty water in which we had bathed earlier. Waiting for the boat felt tiring, and we almost gave up. However, the boat ride cost a hefty 800 rupees for just 10 minutes, so we felt compelled to go through with it. 

The river was a beautiful sight, with a cloudy sky and a dam in the distance, but our previous experiences had somewhat dampened our mood. After the boat ride, we rushed to a public washroom to change our stinky clothes.

Saying goodbye to the elephants was difficult; we had formed a strong attachment in such a short time. That's the enchantment these gentle giants hold over those fortunate enough to spend time with them.

As we waited by the road, hoping to catch an auto for our journey back, a bus unexpectedly appeared. We still had plenty of time before our departure, so we decided to make the most of it. Hunger pangs reminded us it was time to find something to eat, and while wandering the streets, we stumbled upon ISIRI multi-cuisine restaurant, which had come highly recommended online. The restaurant had a delightful ambiance, exuding a traditional charm with its dimly lit setting and tasteful decorations. We were excited to try their special mutton pot biryani and butter chicken, so we eagerly walked in. The flavors did not disappoint, and it turned out to be an amazing and must-try lunch.

With our appetites satisfied, we headed to the railway station. It was time to bid farewell to this charming little town. We boarded the Shimoga Yesvantpur Intercity train for our journey back to Bangalore. It had been a spontaneous plan, but it brought us so many memorable moments to cherish.

As we settled into our seats on the train, I couldn't help but reflect on the magic of the day. It had been an adventure filled with surprises, from bathing and interacting with elephants to enjoying delicious food and exploring a new place. It was a reminder of the beauty of spontaneity and the joy that comes from embracing unexpected opportunities. As I looked out the window and watched the scenery pass by, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the next adventure waiting just around the corner. 

Stay tuned for my next blog, dropping soon. Until then, see ya!