Tags: #dasara #dasara2022 #mysore #elephant #elephants #mysuru #mysurudiaries #mysorenews #jumboo
Dasara celebration, that begins with the “Gajapayana” in the mid of August, is the ceremonial journey taken by the elephants to take part in the Dasara procession. This tradition started in 1610 AD in Srirangapatna, elephants today have become an integral part of the Dasara celebration in Mysuru.
The procession begins with the tribal and folk dances by the local artists and Tibetans settlers (residing in the locality). Earlier, during the time of the Mysore Dasara, the Kings, accompanied by the “Pattada Aane” would visit the forest and perform pooja to all the pachyderms that would participate in the celebrations. Then, the jumbos would walk to Mysore Palace.
The elephants are specially trained at Veeranahosalli, a small village near the main entrance of the Nagarahole National reserve forest. The Veeranahosalli village is situated about 70 km from Mysuru.
The rehearsal of the first batch of nine Dasara elephants, led by tusker Abhimanyu, in preparation for the Vijayadashmi procession, began on Sunday.
The elephants will walk the procession route from the palace to the Bannimantap Grounds twice a day covering 5 km. This is to familiarise them with the procession route besides exposing them to the noise and din of the urban milieu.
Though some of the elephants, including Abhimanyu, Arjuna, Vikrama, are veterans of Mysuru Dasara, the trials and rehearsals are considered essential as the full-fledged procession is being held after two years.
Though Abhimanyu has carried the golden howdah weighing 50 kg twice, it was only for a short stretch – of about 400 metres – within the palace premises. This will be his first full-fledged procession entailing a walk of 5 km with the howdah. Hence emphasis will be on preparing him for the gruelling task ahead.
Before the commencement of the rehearsals, special prayers were performed for Abhimanyu and his team after which the elephants began their march from the palace gate north to cover Chamaraja Circle, K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road, Ayurvedic College Circle, Bamboo Bazaar, and terminating at Bannimantap Grounds.
Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Karikalan said apart from the daily walks, the elephants will practice carrying weight that will be gradually increased till they are comfortable carrying 750 kg – the weight of the howdah.
