6 elephants from Kodagu chosen for Dasara festival
Six of the 14 jumbos selected for the 2025 edition of Dasara are housed at Dubare and Mathigodu camps in the district. Based at Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Kodagu, Abhimanyu participated in more than 300 elephant captures and over 80 tiger captures. After being captured from the Heggala region in Kodagu in 1970, he was trained at Mathigodu Elephant Camp. Abhimanyu has been a prominent figure in the Dasara festival since 2020.
The other elephants selected are Dhananjaya (44 years), Cauvery (45), and Kanjan (26) from Dubare camps, and Bheema (25) and Ekalavya (40) from Mathigodu Elephant Camp. According to sources, these elephants will proceed to Veeranahosahalli in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur on Aug 3.
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Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Deccan Herald
After Gajapayana, Dasara elephants bathe and enjoy good food at Mysuru's Aranya Bhavan
After the hectic Gajapayana on Monday, bracing the huge crowd that crossed 10,000 people, the Dasara jumbos were in a relaxing mood at the Aranya Bhavan in Mysuru on nine jumbos that participated in Gajapayana at Veeranahosahalli of Hunsur taluk were brought in trucks to the Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram of the city on Monday evening. It was the first day of the pachyderms' stay in Mysuru for this year's Dasara, and they were given a soothing bath and good food. They remained playful throughout the batchAll elephants in the first batch - Abhimanyu, who has carried the golden howdah five times, Bheema, Mahendra, Prashantha, Dhananjaya, Ekalavya, Kanjan, Lakshmi and Kaveri - have been housed at the Aranya Bhavan. They will stay here for a few days, after which they will be sent to the Mysuru Palace, where they will be housed till Vijayadashami, the Jamboo Savari day, the last leg of Dasara people are coming in large numbers to the Aranya Bhavan to have a glimpse of the jumbos that will be participating in the famed Dasara the Forest department has taken all security measures and has erected barricades to prevent people from going near the Dasara elephants from various forest camps arrive at Aranya Bhavan in a relaxed moodI B Prabhu Gowda, DCF (Wildlife), Mysuru division, said that the jumbos were in a relaxed mood on the first day of their stay in Mysuru on Tuesday. Expressing happiness over the smooth Gajapayana event at Veeranahosahalli, under the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on Monday, he said that more than 7,000 people took part in it and the procession looked like a mini Dasara. The jumbos too behaved well and did not react negatively to the jumbos were subjected to all kinds of medical examinations before coming to Mysuru, like blood test, liver, kidney and heart condition, and all are the nine jumbos in the first batch are experienced. Their behaviour has changed and they should have realised that they have come to participate in the Dasara festivities. They are all friendly and relaxed and there is no problem, he jumbos are being fed with fodder, grass, paddy and hay at the Aranya Bhavan. The special nutritious diet will begin once they reach Mysuru Palace, he date givenThe tentative date given is August 10. It is said that the jumbos are likely to reach the Mysuru Palace and will be given a traditional welcome at the Jayamarthanda Gate, between the auspicious time 6.40 pm and 7.20 pm on August 10. It will be the first time that the jumbos are being welcomed to the Palace in the second batch of Dasara jumbos - Gopi, Sugreeva, Srikanta, Roopa and Hemavathi - will reach Mysuru in a few weeks. They will be trained for Dasara. The Dasara will be inaugurated atop the Chamundi Hill on September 22, while the Jamboo Savari will be held on Vijayadashami, on October 2.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Abhimanyu treading path graced by Dasara veterans
1 2 3 Mysuru: Abhimanyu, the lead Dasara elephant, is poised to retire from his role upon turning 60 later this year, marking the end of a distinguished service. Elephants have been an integral part of Mysuru Dasara celebrations for more than four centuries. The tradition, initiated by the Vijayanagar Empire and celebrated by the maharajas of Mysuru from 1610, continues until this day. Among the lead Dasara elephants, Jayamarthanda is a notable name. Captured near Bettadapura in Periyapatna during the reign of Maharaja Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Jayamarthanda was the first to carry the golden howdah. From 1870 to 1915, he served as the lead elephant -- the longest recorded stint. During this period, he carried Maharajas Chamaraja Wadiyar and Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar during Dasara processions. Unlike now, the maharajas used to sit in the golden howdah. After the state govt took over the celebrations in the 1970s, instead of the maharaja, the idol of Chamundeshwari started being placed in the howdah. Nearly 11 feet tall and weighing around 7,000 kg, Jayamarthanda was admired for his grace and strength. Historian PV Nanjaraja Urs noted that Jayamarthanda was highly esteemed by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, leading to the naming of the entry gate of the rebuilt Mysuru Palace as Jayamarthanda Gate, through which the participating elephants enter the palace every year even now. Historian NS Rangaraju explained that the selection of a lead elephant for the 10-day Dasara celebration involves meticulous evaluation of the jumbo's physical attributes and behaviour. Factors such as height, tusk condition, flatness of the back, gait, and temperament are carefully assessed before finalising the lead elephant. This practice continues until this day, with foresters selecting elephants based on these criteria. Until 1971, the lead elephant used to carry the Maharaja of Mysuru and his heir in the Golden Ambari (howdah), accommodating two individuals as part of the celebrations. Following Jayamarthanda, other notable elephants such as Vijayabahadur, Nanjunda, Ramaprasad, and Mothilalraj have carried the howdah. Airavata gained international recognition through the Hollywood film 'The Elephant Boy', with its mahout playing the lead role. Biligiri, who stood at 10.5 feet tall and weighed approximately 7,000 kg, was the last elephant to carry the maharajas. Rajendra, who was featured in the renowned Kannada song 'Naavaduva Nudiye Kannada Nudi' from the film 'Gandhada Gudi', starring Rajkumar, was the first to carry the howdah with the idol of the goddess placed inside. Other elephants include Dhrona, who carried the howdah 18 times and appeared in the Hindi serial 'The Sword of Tipu Sultan'. In 1998, while grazing in the forest, Dhrona came into contact with a live electric wire, resulting in the death of the giant elephant. He was succeeded by Balarama, known for his calm nature, who carried the howdah for 11 years, while Arjuna served for eight years before Abhimanyu assumed the responsibility. He has been on the job for the last five years.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Dasara elephants arrive in Mysuru, set tone for festivities
Mysuru: Mysuru Dasara zing is back with the arrival of caparisoned elephants on Monday. Nine Dasara elephants, led by Howdah elephant Abhimanyu, arrived in Mysuru city late on Monday after they received a traditional welcome at Veeranahosahalli, Hunsur, earlier in the day. The arrival of elephants has set the festival tone. The first batch of nine elephants includes Abhimanyu, Bheema, and Ekalavya from Mattigodu Elephant Camp of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve; Mahendra and Lakshmi from Balle Camp of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve; and Prashantha, Dhananjaya, Kanjan, and Kaveri from Dubare of Madikeri Wildlife Division. The second batch of five other elephants, Srikanta, Roopa, Hemavathi, three new elephants, and Sugreeva and Gopi, will arrive early next month. All nine elephants arrived at Aranya Bhavana, the forest department headquarters in Mysuru, after travelling 70 km from the forest. Foresters have selected 14 elephants for the Dasara celebration, which commences on Sept 22 and concludes with a grand procession on Oct 2. For the first time, the crowd came in large numbers for the Gajapayana, the journey of elephants from the woods to the city to take part in the festival. Mahadev, who witnessed the grand event Gajapayana for the last decade, said, "Usually the event was held before 10am, but this year it was organised at 12 noon. This provided ample time for people to witness the event. As thousands of people turned up for the event, police had a tough time controlling the crowd." On the occasion, a booklet containing details of elephants was released along with posters of the festival. Minister urges for protection of wildlife While we admire wildlife on safaris and marvel at the grandeur of caparisoned elephants during the Dasara procession, we must also shoulder the responsibility of protecting them, said minister for forest, zoology, and environment Eshwar Khandre. Speaking at Veeranahosahalli in Hunsur taluk after performing a traditional welcome for the first batch of nine elephants participating in this year's Dasara festivities, Khandre expressed concern over rising wildlife deaths. He cited incidents involving electrocution from illegal fencing, snaring of leopards, and recent poisoning cases in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. "Every creature born on Earth has the right to live. We have encroached upon their habitats—it is our duty to protect them, not kill them," he said. He also highlighted issues caused by cattle from neighbouring states grazing in Karnataka forests, depriving wild animals of food. He confirmed that steps are being taken to curb cross-border grazing. To reduce human-wildlife conflict, especially with elephants, Khandre said the govt has accelerated the installation of protective measures. Since taking office, 115 km of railway barricades have been constructed, with another 193 km approved. "Within two years, the remaining areas will be covered at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore," he stated. Khandre called for proper maintenance of solar fences, tentacle fencing, and elephant trenches, and reiterated that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. He also assured that the rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities would be respected, adding, "A joint survey has been ordered to protect those residing or cultivating land within forests, particularly those with land rights before 2015. " Arjuna award for caring elephants Forest minister Khandre on Monday presented the first Arjuna Award, established in memory of the famed Dasara elephant, to mahout Gunda and Kavadi Nanjundaswamy of elephant Bhima. Each received Rs 10,000 and a certificate. The award has been instituted to recognise outstanding mahouts, kavadis, and forest staff for excellence in elephant capture and wildlife management. A committee will select awardees annually, with presentations held during Gajapayana. Minister for sericulture and animal husbandry K Venkatesh, MLAs Harish Gowda, Tanveer Sait, and Ravishankar, Forest Development Board president Marigowda, and principal chief conservator of forests Meenakshi Negi were present.
