Tamilnadu Government has banned elephants blessing pilgrims in temples to help the jumbos. This follows a study, which revealed that most of these elephants were suffering from one or the other foot disease and rheumatoid arthiritis, standing for long hours. The study was carried out by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) and Forest Department.Pilgrims visiting temples in the state now can no longer experience the thrill of being blessed by elephants with the state government instructing mahouts to give up this age-old practice in the interest of the jumbos.