Lakshmi the Elephant Takes a Bath in Hampi

We arrive just as Lakshmi the elephant makes her way to the bottom of the steps. The washing goes on for at least half an hour. She lies in the river content to be scrubbed by here handler. Flopping her ears and closing her eyes, she wakes only to stand up and turn over to have the other side bathed. After the bath, you can be blessed yourself by Lakshmi. Put a coin into the snout of her trunk and after she hands it to her master, she gives you a tap on your head. As I receive my blessing, A young boy helping the elephant handler whispers to me to ask if I would like a ride on Lakshmi.