1 week ago
Nine Elephants Arrive In Mysuru For 2026 Dasara Festivities
Nine trained elephants have begun traveling to Mysuru for the 2026 Dasara festivities.
Their journey began at Veeranahosahalli near Nagarahole National Park.
Officials and veterinarians chose the elephants after checking their health, behavior and temperament.
Five more elephants will join them later.
The elephants will first stay at Aranya Bhavan and then move to the Mysore Palace.
They will receive nutritious food, massages and medical care.
They will also practice for the Jumbo Savari, a royal elephant procession.
One elephant may carry a 750-kilogram golden howdah.
Officials will decide which elephant carries it after rehearsals.
Nine trained elephants were flagged off to Mysuru during the Gaja Payana ceremony at Veeranahosahalli.
The first batch includes Mahendra, Srikanta, Lakshmi, Ekalavya, Dhananjaya, Gopi, Kaveri, Prashanth and Srirama.
Five additional elephants are expected to join the festivities in the coming days.
The elephants will stay in Mysuru for about two months and undergo feeding, health monitoring and rehearsals.
Dasara will be inaugurated on October 11, with the 5-kilometre Jumbo Savari scheduled for October 21.
- Who
- Nine trained elephants, selected by forest officials and veterinarians, were sent to Mysuru; Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah conducted the flag-off ceremony.
- What
- The first batch of elephants began its journey for the 2026 Mysuru Dasara festivities and Jumbo Savari preparations.
- Where
- The Gaja Payana ceremony was held at Veeranahosahalli, the entrance to Nagarahole National Park in Hunsur taluk, and the elephants are traveling to Mysuru.
- When
- The elephants were flagged off before the festivities, which will be inaugurated on October 11; Jumbo Savari is scheduled for October 21, 2026.
- Why
- They were selected to participate in Dasara events, including rehearsals for the royal elephant procession and possible carriage of the golden howdah.
Key facts
- First batch
- Nine elephants: Mahendra, Srikanta, Lakshmi, Ekalavya, Dhananjaya, Gopi, Kaveri, Prashanth and Srirama.
- Additional elephants
- Five more elephants are expected to join in the coming days.
- Stay duration
- The elephants will remain in Mysuru for about two months.
- Dasara inauguration
- October 11, 2026.
- Jumbo Savari
- Scheduled for October 21, covering about 5 kilometres from Mysore Palace to Bannimantap.
- Golden howdah
- The howdah weighs 750 kilograms; the elephant carrying it will be chosen after rehearsals.
- Heaviest listed elephant
- Srikanta is estimated to be 57 years old, weighs about 5,800 kilograms and measures 2.86 metres.
Quotes
Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah
District in-charge minister and Minister of Urban Development who conducted the Gaja Payana ceremony
“Officials have to keep in mind the elephant to carry golden howdah. A final decision on the elephant carrying golden howdah will be taken during the course of rehearsal of jumbo savari.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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