MYSURU: With 750-kg golden howdah mounted on it, elephant Arjuna had to wait for 45 to 50 minutes till it ambled into the main venue to kick-start its journey towards torchlight parade ground at Bannimantap.Though the howdah was mounted on the elephant by 4.15 pm, it had to wait near the portico close to the residence of erstwhile royals, away from the main venue. It was only a few minutes close to 5 pm, the path was cleared for the caparisoned jumbo in the company of elephants Kaveri and Vijaya.
By the time, the flower petals were showered on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, it was 15 minutes after schedule, as it was slated to be held in Kumbha Lagna at 4.45 pm.
Shobha hosts breakfast for mahouts, kavadis
BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje served beakfast to the families of mahouts and kavadis. The MP started this practice of providing food to these families when she was the Minister in-charge of Mysuru district.
Nervous mahout
Vinu, mahout of howdah elephant Arjuna, for whom it was his maiden Jamboo Savari, was a little nervous with anxiety writ large on his face. As he was finding it difficult to control the jumbo, experienced mahouts of kumki elephant were seen helping him, by moving their jumbos close to Arjuna. Vinu was seen frequently pulling out a kerchief to wipe his face.