MYSURU: The grand Gajapayana of the first batch of Dasara elephants was flagged off at Veeranahosahalli on Wednesday, marking the formal beginning of preparations for the world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
Urban Development Minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah performed the traditional puja and offered phalathamboola to the Dasara elephant squad at Veeranahosahalli, on the outskirts of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur taluk, between 10am and 10.28am during the auspicious Tula Lagna. He later flagged off the elephants’ journey to Mysuru.
The first batch comprises nine elephants – Mahendra, Srikanta, Lakshmi, Ekalavya, Dhananjaya, Gopi, Kaveri, Prashantha and Srirama. The decorated elephants were accorded a traditional welcome amid much fanfare, with hundreds of villagers and tribals from neighbouring hamlets gathering to witness the ceremony.
The elephants were transported in specially arranged trucks to Mysuru and will initially be housed at Aranya Bhavan. They will stay there for two days before entering the palace on August 28 in a traditional ceremony.
Farewell to Abhimanyu
The Gajapayana ceremony also witnessed an emotional farewell to veteran Dasara elephant Abhimanyu, who has been relieved from active Dasara duties after a long service due to his age. The 60-year-old tusker participated in the Mysuru Dasara festivities for 25 years and carried the 750-kg golden howdah during the Jamboo Savari on six occasions.
Kambala to be part of Dasara
The proposed Kambala event, the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka, will be held as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations this year despite opposition from certain sections.
Confirming this to reporters here on Wednesday, Urban Development Minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the event would be held at the proposed site of the cycle velodrome on the outskirts of Mysuru.
“There is some opposition to holding Kambala, but it will be organised as per the directions of Chief Minister DK Shivakumar,” Yathindra said.