Dasara elephants march into Mysuru palace in twilight spectacle
The elephants were camping at Aranya Bhavan since August 4, after the ceremonial 'Gajapayana' at Veeranahosahalli near Nagarahole. The date for their formal welcome and reception at the palace was fixed for August 10,hence the elephants were at their ceremonial best draped in shiny trappings.
On Sunday afternoon, Abhimanyu and company were accorded ceremonial send-off from the Aranya Bhavan complete with traditional rituals and floral offerings. There were cultural troupes and ensemble of traditional musicians who were part of the retinue.
Accompanying tusker Abhimanyu — who is slated to carry the golden howdah on the day of the Vijayadashmi procession — were elephants Dhananjaya, Bhima, Kanjan, Ekalavya, Prashanth, Kaveri, Balle Lakshmi and Mahendra
The elephants marched from Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram to Jayamartanda Gate, and were the cynosure of all eyes all along the procession route. Traffic came to a standstill as people lined up on both the sides of the road and cheered the marching elephants.
Accompanied by their respective mahouts and kavadis or assistants, the elephants were a picture of majesty as they marched towards the palace gate and made a grand entry around 6 p.m.
Enroute, there was heavy rain but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the public while the elephants remained nonchalant about it.
At the Jayamartanda Gate, elected representatives, officials, and priests received Abhimanyu and company. Being Sunday, there was rush at the palace grounds with locals and tourists alike gathering in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the Dasara elephants.
District in charge minister H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Animal Husbandry Venkatesh, MLAs T.S. Srivatsa and G.T. Deve Gowda, deputy commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Commissioner of Police Seema Latkar, Deputy Conservator of Forest Prabhugoud and others were present.
The elephants will rest for a day or two after which they will be subjected to daily rehearsal along the procession route from the palace to Bannimantap grounds. In due course, the second batch of another five elephants will join them in preparation for the Dasara celebrations.
The arrival of Abhimanyu and his team also signals the countdown to Dasara and the palace ground will be a beehive of activity till the conclusion of the festivities.
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News18
2 days ago
- News18
Trumpeting Tradition: Why Are Elephants The Heart Of Mysuru's 10-Day Dasara Festival? Explained
Elephants are central to Mysuru Dasara because they are both a symbol of royal power and a living link to the festival's centuries-old traditions If you are a fan of royalty, heritage and all things festive, chances are you would have witnessed the Mysuru Dasara— a 10-day celebration that transforms the iconic city into a hub of tradition, culture, and pageantry. One of India's most iconic festivals, the origins of the Mysuru Dasara can be traced back over 400 years to the reign of the Wadiyar dynasty. On Sunday evening, Mysuru began preparations to roll out the red carpet for visitors from across the world by according a grand, traditional welcome to the first batch of nine elephants who will play a key role in the Dasara Jamboo Savari procession. As the pachyderms, adorned with garlands, received a ceremonial guard of honour, they acknowledged the crowds that had gathered to see them by raising their trunks—signalling the arrival of the city's most-awaited season. WHAT IS THE MYSURU DASARA FESTIVAL? Simply put, the Mysuru Dasara can be described as a ten-day symphony of devotion, culture, and royal grandeur that has captivated hearts for over four centuries. The festival marks the victory of good over evil, celebrating Goddess Chamundeshwari's slaying of the demon Mahishasura (from whom Mysuru gets its name). The Wadiyars began celebrating Dasara in 1610, and it has since been observed every year with royal splendour. The festivities coincide with Navratri (usually September–October) and last 10 days, culminating in Vijayadashami. The grand finale of the 10-day mega event sees the golden howdah—a 750 kg gold-plated seat—carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari atop the lead elephant. Traditionally, the procession moves from Mysuru Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site, to Bannimantap Grounds with caparisoned elephants, horses, music bands, and folk troupes. The palace, lit up with over 100,000 bulbs every evening during the festival, is a sight to behold and draws massive crowds from all over the world. Music concerts, dance performances, theatre, and folk art displays are held across multiple venues. On Vijayadashami night at Bannimantap, a Torchlight Parade is held, featuring daredevil stunts, acrobatics, and fireworks. The daily rituals, processions, and the Vijayadashami finale all honour the Goddess, who is also the presiding deity of Mysuru. The royal family's involvement continues till today, maintaining the link between Mysuru's monarchy and its modern identity. WHY ARE ELEPHANTS A KEY PART OF THE CELEBRATIONS? Elephants are central to Mysuru Dasara because they are both a symbol of royal power and a living link to the festival's centuries-old traditions. Under the Wadiyar dynasty (since 1610), elephants were part of the king's army and royal processions. In Dasara, they represented strength, dignity, and state authority, qualities the monarch wished to project. The lead elephant (Ambari Aane) carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in the golden howdah during the Jamboo Savari on Vijayadashami. The act is symbolic—the Goddess's blessing is carried through the city, watched by thousands of devotees. A LONG JOURNEY Months before the grand festivities begin, preparations for Mysuru Dasara are set in motion with Gajapayana—the ceremonial departure of the elephants from their forest camps to the heritage city. This vibrant tradition, steeped in history, draws large crowds who gather to watch the majestic animals set out on their journey, marking the official start of the celebrations. Once in Mysuru, the elephants are carefully trained and conditioned for their starring role in the Jamboo Savari procession. From specialised grooming to gradual acclimatisation to the city's sights and sounds, every detail is managed with care, ensuring the gentle giants are ready to carry forward one of Karnataka's most cherished traditions. In their forest camps, the Dasara elephants are sustained on a staple called ragi mudde — a hearty mix of ragi, horse gram, and fodder. Once they arrive in Mysuru, however, their menu becomes far more varied. Their daily diet includes black gram (uddina bele), wheat, boiled rice, onions, vegetables, and green gram. After practice sessions for the Jamboo Savari, they are treated to energy-rich favourites like coconut, jaggery, sugarcane, groundnuts, and rice lightly seasoned with salt. Banyan leaves are also offered as part of their meals. Every item is chosen to be high in protein and calories, ensuring the elephants remain in peak health and stamina for the festivities. WHO IS THE LEAD ELEPHANT FOR 2025? Abhimanyu, the 59-year-old veteran of the Mysuru Dasara, will once again take centre stage as the lead elephant in the Jamboo Savari of 2025. This will be the sixth time he carries the golden howdah bearing the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari through the grand procession. A seasoned tusker from the Mattigod elephant camp, Abhimanyu has an illustrious service record, having helped rescue over 300 wild elephants and 80 tigers from conflict zones across Karnataka. Apart from Abhimanyu, Bhima (aged 29), Dhananjaya (aged 45), Kanjan (26), Ekalavya, Prashantha (53), Mahendra (42), Kaveri (45), and Laxmi (54). About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : karnataka mysuru dasara Mysuru Dasara festival view comments Location : Mysore, India, India First Published: August 11, 2025, 15:12 IST News explainers Trumpeting Tradition: Why Are Elephants The Heart Of Mysuru's 10-Day Dasara Festival? Explained Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Dasara elephants march into Mysuru palace in twilight spectacle
The first batch of nine caparisoned elephants led by the majestic tusker Abhimanyu marched into the Mysuru palace marking a twilight spectacle witnessed by hundreds of people despite drizzle and rain, late on Sunday evening. The elephants were camping at Aranya Bhavan since August 4, after the ceremonial 'Gajapayana' at Veeranahosahalli near Nagarahole. The date for their formal welcome and reception at the palace was fixed for August 10,hence the elephants were at their ceremonial best draped in shiny trappings. On Sunday afternoon, Abhimanyu and company were accorded ceremonial send-off from the Aranya Bhavan complete with traditional rituals and floral offerings. There were cultural troupes and ensemble of traditional musicians who were part of the retinue. Accompanying tusker Abhimanyu — who is slated to carry the golden howdah on the day of the Vijayadashmi procession — were elephants Dhananjaya, Bhima, Kanjan, Ekalavya, Prashanth, Kaveri, Balle Lakshmi and Mahendra The elephants marched from Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram to Jayamartanda Gate, and were the cynosure of all eyes all along the procession route. Traffic came to a standstill as people lined up on both the sides of the road and cheered the marching elephants. Accompanied by their respective mahouts and kavadis or assistants, the elephants were a picture of majesty as they marched towards the palace gate and made a grand entry around 6 p.m. Enroute, there was heavy rain but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the public while the elephants remained nonchalant about it. At the Jayamartanda Gate, elected representatives, officials, and priests received Abhimanyu and company. Being Sunday, there was rush at the palace grounds with locals and tourists alike gathering in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the Dasara elephants. District in charge minister H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Animal Husbandry Venkatesh, MLAs T.S. Srivatsa and G.T. Deve Gowda, deputy commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Commissioner of Police Seema Latkar, Deputy Conservator of Forest Prabhugoud and others were present. The elephants will rest for a day or two after which they will be subjected to daily rehearsal along the procession route from the palace to Bannimantap grounds. In due course, the second batch of another five elephants will join them in preparation for the Dasara celebrations. The arrival of Abhimanyu and his team also signals the countdown to Dasara and the palace ground will be a beehive of activity till the conclusion of the festivities.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Festival rush begins early: Long waitlists on trains to and from Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam:The festival rush is clearly reflected in the reservation charts, as berths in many trains from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, and Bangalore to Visakhapatnam — as well as to destinations towards Bhubaneswar and return routes towards Hyderabad and Vijayawada — are showing massive waiting lists. Even 50 days ahead of Dasara, railway reservations have become difficult for passengers. Berths in several trains from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar are either on long waiting lists or marked as 'regret'. Around two lakh people from North Andhra, working in various cities and towns across both Telugu states, as well as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, return home during major festivals like Dasara and Sankranti to celebrate with their families. Migration from the North Andhra region is higher compared to other regions, and many migrant labourers and employees travel with their families during the festive season. Most have planned to return to their native places before Dasara, on Oct 2 (Thursday). Travel plans are concentrated around the weekend from Sept 27 (Saturday) to Sept 30 (Tuesday). Even for the return journey from North Andhra, several trains are already showing waiting lists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This is What Your Fingers Say About Your Personality Tips and Tricks Undo The Secunderabad (Charlapalli)–Silchar Superfast Express shows reservation regret. The Falaknuma Superfast Express (12704) is on 'regret' status from Sept 27 to Oct 1, and has a waiting list for Dasara and the following days. Berths in trains like the Nanded–Sambalpur (20810), East Coast Express, Konark, and Visakha Express are also on waiting lists. The Chennai Central to Visakhapatnam Superfast (12840) train shows 'regret' status on Sept 27, 28, and even on Sept 30. The Coromandel Express is in a similar situation. Weekly express trains such as Chennai Egmore–Visakhapatnam (12375) and Kanyakumari–Howrah (CAPE HWH SF EXP 12666) have already closed reservations. Other weekly superfast trains, like the Perambur–Visakhapatnam (running between Tirunelveli and Purulia) and the Guwahati Express (12509), are on waiting lists. Reservations also show 'regret' status on trains like Bangalore–Howrah (12864), the Prasanthi Express (18464), and the weekly Anga Express (12253). Even though the Railways has extended some special train services until the end of Dussehra, the passenger rush remains extremely high. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
