While most people use their retirement to focus on personal pursuits, 76-year-old Malathi from Madurai has taken an unconventional route. A former police officer, she spends a significant share of her pension on looking after monkeys in Tirupparankundram, Tamil Nadu, where she has been regularly feeding them for almost ten years.
Each Saturday afternoon, hundreds of monkeys assemble throughout the temple grounds and nearby hills, eagerly anticipating her arrival. The extraordinary connection she has formed with these animals has transformed her weekly visits into a touching spectacle cherished by the local community.
From public service to compassionate care
Service has been the central focus of Malathi’s life for many years. Before retiring in 2010, she held several professional positions, including Director of Physical Education at Gandhigram University. She also taught at an international school in Kodaikanal and dedicated 33 years of her career to the Tamil Nadu Police Department.
After retiring, she turned her attention to animal welfare. Around 2015, she observed an increasing population of monkeys in and around the Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple and the surrounding forested regions, many of which were having difficulty finding enough food.
These monkeys inhabit wooded and hilly areas and face daily challenges in finding food. Around 2015, I observed a large monkey population in and around the Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple and chose to support them. Since then, I have been feeding them consistently. For many years, I went there every day. Now, however, I am 76 years old, and due to health problems, walking long distances has become hard. Despite this, I still carry on with my service every Saturday,” Malathi told ANI.
Hundreds of monkeys respond to her call
Despite growing older and facing health issues, Malathi still carries out her mission every week. She visits six different places in and around Tirupparankundram, including the Murugan Temple complex, Saravana Poigai, the Palchunaikanda Subramaniam Temple, Mayil Thoppu (Peacock Grove), the Cave Temple area, and the historic Fort region.
Malathi says the monkeys are now so used to her routine that many of them come running as soon as they hear her call.
She said, “Across these areas, there are roughly 350 to 400 monkeys. Every Saturday at about 3:30 p.m., when I call them, they come together to eat. In some spots, nearly 50 monkeys arrive at once. Around the Cave Temple, there are close to 150 monkeys, and Peacock Grove has nearly 200 monkeys.”.
The weekly meetup brings together monkeys of every age, from newborns clinging to their mothers to fully mature adults.
A bond built on trust
Over time, Malathi’s bond with the animals has deepened far beyond a basic feeding schedule. The monkeys now recognise her and react with striking familiarity, a clear sign of the trust she has built through years of devoted care.
Animal welfare specialists frequently observe that regular feeding and contact can foster powerful behavioral patterns in wild animals, while also stressing the need to balance empathy with responsible conservation measures.
For Malathi, however, the experience is deeply personal and emotionally rewarding.
Caring for these animals fills me with profound joy and a deep sense of peace. Their trust and love give my life significant purpose. For as long as my body allows, I will remain committed to this mission. It is my heartfelt desire to continue this service until the final days of my life," she said.
What started as a small gesture of goodwill has grown into a ten-year dedication. Each Saturday, when monkeys come down from the hills, temple premises, and forested areas expecting their food, Malathi keeps demonstrating that there are many ways to serve others.