
Bheema emerges as heaviest jumbo in weight check for Dasara celebrations
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At the lighter end was kumki elephant Cauvery, weighing 3,010 kg.
Given that foresters could stop using Abhimanyu to carry the golden howdah on his back and amble the 5km Dasara procession route from the Mysuru Palace to the Banni Mantap Grounds amidst a multitude of people, Bheema could succeed him. He is 2.85m tall and has good looks. He is also composed and from Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. Generally, tuskers from Nagarahole make the cut as Dasara howdah elephants in recent times, be it Dhrona, Balarama, Arjuna, and Abhimanyu.
As the forest department has not used lead elephants after they cross 60 years, there is a crisis, which Bheema could solve as he is a regular to Mysuru since the 2017 edition of the Dasara festival. He is also taller than Abhimanyu and used during operations to rescue tigers in the forest areas or its fringes.
The weigh-in took place at a weighbridge on Dhanvantri Road. Officials said all elephants will be placed on a special nutritious diet until the Dasara procession to maintain their weight and stamina.
IB Prabhu Gowda, DCF (wildlife), said, "All nine elephants are in good shape. Bheema, even in the forest, takes great care of his health, which is why he maintains such good weight. As for the rain, elephants enjoy them. To ensure mahouts and kavadis stay dry, we'll provide raincoats and umbrellas."
Elephant weight
Bheema - 5,465 kg, Abhimanyu - 5,360 kg, Ekalavya - 5,305 kg, Dhananjaya - 5,310 kg, Mahendra - 5,120 kg, Prasantha - 5,110 kg, Kanjan - 4,880 kg, Lakshmi - 3,730 kg, Kaveri - 3,010 kg
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Hans India
a day ago
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Dasara elephant procession training begins on World Elephant Day
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Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Heaviest Dasara elephant in first weight check: Bhima overtakes Abhimanyu
Mysuru: Inthe first weight measurement of this year's Dasara elephants, 25-year-old 'Bhima' emerged as the heaviest, tipping the scales at 5,465 kg, narrowly surpassing last year's heavyweight champion, 'Abhimanyu', who weighed in at 5,360 kg. The weighing of the nine Dasara elephants housed in the Mysuru Palace premises was conducted on Monday at the 'Sairam Electronic Weighbridge' on Dhanvanthri Road. Last year, Abhimanyu had weighed 5.3 tonnes and topped the list. In this year's initial check, he has gained an additional 60 kg. However, Bhima's remarkable growth has pushed him to the top spot. Participating in the Jamboo Savari procession since 2017, Bhima weighed around 4,000 kg during the 2022 Dasara but has steadily increased his bulk year after year. Now nearing the 5.5-tonne mark, he is on track to challenge the record of 'Arjuna', the former lead elephant who once weighed more than 6 tonnes. Veteran elephant 'Dhananjaya', who has been part of Dasara for the past nine years, secured third place at 5,310 kg. Standing tall at 2.86 metres, the majestic 40-year-old 'Ekalavya', known for his large, attractive ears, took fourth place at 5,305 kg. 'Mahendra', who has replaced Arjuna in combing operations and is part of the Srirangapatna Dasara celebrations, weighed in at 5,120 kg, followed closely by 'Prashanth' at 5,110 kg. Among the rest, 26-year-old 'Kanjan', participating for the third time, weighed 4,880 kg. In the female elephant category, 'Lakshmi' weighed 3,730 kg, while 'Kaveri' was the lightest among the group at 3,010 kg. The weight checks are an important part of Dasara preparations, ensuring the elephants are in peak condition for the grand Jamboo Savari procession.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Bheema emerges as heaviest jumbo in weight check for Dasara celebrations
Mysuru: The first batch of nine elephants, which arrived at Mysuru Palace on Sunday for the Dasara celebrations, underwent a weight check on Monday. Bheema, a 25-year-old young elephant fondly called the "brother of Arjuna" and a crowd favourite, emerged as the heaviest at 5,465 kg, followed closely by howdah elephant Abhimanyu at 5,360 kg. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At the lighter end was kumki elephant Cauvery, weighing 3,010 kg. Given that foresters could stop using Abhimanyu to carry the golden howdah on his back and amble the 5km Dasara procession route from the Mysuru Palace to the Banni Mantap Grounds amidst a multitude of people, Bheema could succeed him. He is 2.85m tall and has good looks. He is also composed and from Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. Generally, tuskers from Nagarahole make the cut as Dasara howdah elephants in recent times, be it Dhrona, Balarama, Arjuna, and Abhimanyu. As the forest department has not used lead elephants after they cross 60 years, there is a crisis, which Bheema could solve as he is a regular to Mysuru since the 2017 edition of the Dasara festival. He is also taller than Abhimanyu and used during operations to rescue tigers in the forest areas or its fringes. The weigh-in took place at a weighbridge on Dhanvantri Road. Officials said all elephants will be placed on a special nutritious diet until the Dasara procession to maintain their weight and stamina. IB Prabhu Gowda, DCF (wildlife), said, "All nine elephants are in good shape. Bheema, even in the forest, takes great care of his health, which is why he maintains such good weight. As for the rain, elephants enjoy them. To ensure mahouts and kavadis stay dry, we'll provide raincoats and umbrellas." Elephant weight Bheema - 5,465 kg, Abhimanyu - 5,360 kg, Ekalavya - 5,305 kg, Dhananjaya - 5,310 kg, Mahendra - 5,120 kg, Prasantha - 5,110 kg, Kanjan - 4,880 kg, Lakshmi - 3,730 kg, Kaveri - 3,010 kg