Pet elephants of the state forest department were venerated at their enclosure in Gorumara National Park, Jalpaiguri, on Vishwakarma Puja.

“As the elephant is Lord Vishwakarma’s mount, the puja is held every year,” said Sunil Chandra Barui, the beat officer of Dhupjhora forest beat of the park. Around 15 pet elephants, including Falguni, Raja, Barshan, Motirani, Yuvaraj and Champa, were taken to nearby streams where the mahouts gave them a bath.

They were then bedecked with flowers and assembled in one place where Vishwakarma Puja was held, and offered bananas and sugarcane by residents of forest villages and mahouts. Tourists also offered food to elephants and clicked pictures.