Punnathoor kotta, the elephant camp of the Guruvayoor temple, has the maximum number of domesticated elephants in the State. The 500-year-old Punnathoor Kotta (Punnathoor Palace), about two kilometers away from the Guruvayur temple, where these elephants are taken care, also evolved into a major tourist spot, drawing even international attention. In this sanctuary, elephants prepared and trained for the various rituals and festivals linked with the temple. 

Offering elephants to the deity was also a common practice. The number is currently 62. Punnathoorkotta, during the annual "sukha chikitsa"(restorative treatment) given to the elephants during the rainy Malayalam month of `Karkadakam'. The flow of tourists to the Punnathoor Kotta increases during the sukhachikitsa season, and a relaxed view of the play and mirth of these jumbos and the various dimensions to the man-elephant interactions are on show for them now.. In Punnathur Kotta elephant venerations including Gajapooja (elephant worship) and Anayoottu (Elephant feeding) celebrated with much fervor and gaiety. There is also an ancient temple where Lord Siva and Bhagavathy are main idols.