Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Mysuru Dasara Elephant Training Begins With Mahendra Carrying 350 Kilograms
Mysuru Dasara is a festival that includes a large elephant procession called Jamboo Savari.
The elephants are practicing before the festival begins.
Mahendra was the first elephant to carry a heavy load.
The load was made of sandbags weighing about 350 kilograms.
He walked from Mysuru Palace to the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap.
The other elephants also walked along the route in an orderly way.
Officials are checking their health, diet, fitness and behavior.
They will later choose which elephant will carry the golden howdah.
The first phase of weight-bearing training for Mysuru Dasara elephants began at Mysuru Palace.
Elephant Mahendra carried approximately 350 kilograms of sandbags from the palace to Bannimantap.
Mahendra completed the route calmly and without difficulty, while the other elephants marched in order.
Dhananjaya, Ekalavya, Prashantha, Gopi, Srirama, Srikantha, Lakshmi and Kaveri also joined the exercise.
Officials will decide the golden howdah carrier after assessing the elephants’ training performance and fitness.
- Who
- Mahendra and other trained elephants, supervised by Forest Department officials under DCF Dr Prabhugowda.
- What
- The elephants began the first phase of weight-bearing training for the Jamboo Savari procession.
- When
- Ahead of the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festival; no exact date was stated.
- Where
- The exercise began at Mysuru Palace and continued to the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap.
- Why
- To assess the elephants’ load-carrying capacity, fitness and ability to follow mahouts’ instructions before the procession.
- Festival
- Mysuru Dasara
- Procession
- Jamboo Savari
- Lead elephant in exercise
- Mahendra
- Weight carried
- Approximately 350 kilograms of sandbags
- Training route
- Mysuru Palace to the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap
- Other participating elephants
- Dhananjaya, Ekalavya, Prashantha, Gopi, Srirama, Srikantha, Lakshmi and Kaveri
- Golden howdah decision
- To be made after training and physical-fitness assessments