An Indian photographer Ganesh Namasivayam captured the moment in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India when an elephant was giving itself a sand bath to cool down in a scorching heat, which helps it to fend off sunburn and insects bites. /VCG Photo

The local temperature in this year reached 39 degrees Celsius in June, eight degrees Celsius higher than in the past. /VCG Photo

“As we were scanning the landscape in the grassland, I noticed one that was more active and relatively undeterred by our presence,” Ganesh said. /VCG Photo

For such huge creatures in India, like elephants, fighting against the scorching heat with mud or sand is a layer of protection on their skin is a constant battle. /VCG Photo