Gajapayana to herald the arrival of Dasara elephants to Mysuru tomorrow
The flagging off marking the symbolic march of the Dasara elephants, will take place at Veeranahosahalli, on the fringes of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve after 'Gaja Puje' or special worship of the elephants slated to be held from 12.34 p.m. to 12.59 p.m. This also signals the countdown to Mysuru Dasara and all activities will revolve around preparations for the annual event which is a fulcrum to highlight the culture of the State and also promote tourism.
During the days of the maharajas, Gajapayana used to be a stately affair and elephants would walk the entire distance from the forest camps to Mysuru city. The tradition, however, went out of vogue decades ago and Gajapayana was reintroduced about 20 years ago.
Though the elephants marched the entire distance in the first year after reintroduction, it was discontinued from the subsequent years and the march became symbolic. Hence, the elephants, after the prayers and flagging off, walk a short distance at Veeranahosahalli and are shifted to trucks which ferries them to Mysuru.
District in charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, senior officials of the Forest Department, elected representatives from Mysuru, and others will take part in Gajapayana.
There will also be cultural programmes performed by members of the tribal community and the Tibetans from the adjoining Gurupura Tibetan camp.
The first batch of Dasara elephants will be led by tusker Abhimanyu who is also slated to carry the golden howdah on the day of the procession. Other elephants that have been shortlisted include Dhananjaya, Bheema, Kanjan, Ekalavya, Prashanth, Mahendra, Kaveri, and Balle Lakshmi. The second batch of five elephants from other camps will join them latter during the month. The elephants will initially be lodged at Aranya Bhavan for a couple of days before they march to the palace grounds which will be their temporary abode till the conclusion of Dasara.
Meanwhile, the district administration has completed all the arrangements for the stay of the elephants, the mahouts and their family members at the palace grounds. Enclosures have been made for elephants while temporary staying facilities have been created for the mahouts. A team of veterinary officers will be in charge of elephants which will be on special diet and the bulk of the Forest Department staff will be deployed to look after them.
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