Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Mahendra Stops Dasara Jumbo Savari Rehearsal in Mysuru
Mahendra is an elephant taking part in practice for the Dasara procession in Mysuru.
During practice on Thursday, he stopped and did not want to keep going with a wooden model of the golden howdah on his back.
Officials took the model off and stopped practice for the day.
They checked Mahendra and found no injuries on his paw pads.
An official said a rope had tightened after getting wet in the rain during an earlier rehearsal.
Mahendra had also seemed uncomfortable before.
Officials plan to let him rest for a few days.
The procession’s finale is scheduled for October 21.
Elephant Mahendra stopped during a rehearsal for Mysuru’s Jumbo Savari procession on Thursday.
Officials removed the wooden howdah at Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital Circle and ended rehearsal for the day.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Prabhugouda Patil said Mahendra had previously shown reluctance after a rope tightened from rain-related moisture.
A medical examination found no injuries to Mahendra’s paw pads, officials said.
Mahendra will rest for a couple of days before officials consider returning him to rehearsal.
- Who
- Mahendra, an elephant taking part in the rehearsal, and forest officials.
- What
- The Jumbo Savari rehearsal was stopped after Mahendra hesitated to continue carrying a wooden howdah.
- When
- Thursday evening; the procession finale is scheduled for October 21.
- Where
- Mysuru, near Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital Circle.
- Why
- Officials said Mahendra showed reluctance and may have recalled earlier discomfort; an examination found no paw-pad injuries.
- Elephant
- Mahendra
- Event
- Jumbo Savari rehearsal, the finale procession of Mysore Dasara festivities
- Rehearsal began
- Around 4 p.m. on Thursday
- Rehearsal stopped
- At Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital Circle
- Medical check
- Officials reported no injuries to Mahendra’s paw pads
- Next step
- Mahendra will rest for a couple of days
- Finale date
- October 21