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7 days ago
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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.
Deccan Herald
04-08-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Grand Gajapayana celebrations marks beginning of Dasara preparations
Veeranahosahalli-Hunsur-Mysuru: The preparations for Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari procession took off with grand 'Gajapayana' celebrations amid about ten thousand people at Veeranahosahalli of Hunsur taluk of Mysuru district on the tunes of Mangalavaadya and percussion instruments Minister for Environment, Ecology and Forests Eshwar B Khandre launched the journey of the first batch of nine Dasara Elephants of various forest camps towards Heritage city of Mysuru for training for this year's Dasara Jamboo Savari procession with a formal pooja. He offered pooja during auspicious Abhijin lagna at 12.42pm. .Dasara preparations to begin with Gajapayana nine caparisoned Dasara Elephants led by Abhimanyu who has carried golden howdah for five times flanked with Lakshmi and Kaveri lined up for pooja along with Bheema, Mahendra, Ekalavya, Prashantha, Dhananjaya, Kanjan near Veeranahosahalli gate of Nagarahole Tiger the absence of Mysuru district in-charge minister and head of Dasara Executive committee, H C Mahadevappa, minister K Venkatesh attended the pooja. .Mysuru DC and Dasara special officer, G Lakshmikanth Reddy, DCF Wildlife, Mysuru division I B Prabhugowda who will be in-charge of Dasara elephants during their stay in Mysuru who made elaborate arrangements joined the pooja. .They offered floral tribute and fed them with jaggery, sugarcane, fruits including Bananas and eatables like Chakkuli, Kodbale, Kajjaaya, Rave unde, Karji kaayi to the Pachyderms. Palace Ganesha temple priest S V Prahlad Rao performed pachyderms lifted their trunks and greeted.45 Women dressed up in traditional attires also welcomed them with 'Poorna Kumbha'. Amid huge cheering crowd Elephants marched for about 2km decorated road till the lorries near venue of stage event in a mini procession featuring performances by cultural troupes including Kamsaale, Veeragaase, Dollu Kunitha, Pooja kunitha, chandevaadana which added all colour and vigour to celebration. .Later at the stage event at Veearanahosahalli under Dodda Hejjuru gram panchayat, Khandre said that they have continued the tradition followed by Maharajas of royal era to offer puja and take elephants from forest to Mysuru for Dasara l- the celebration of victory of good over the also recalled incident of poisoning of five tigers by villagers in M M Hill, leopards killed due to snares, elephants dying due to electrification of fences, he called on for conservation of animals including elephants which are being celebrated now and forest wealth and healthy co-existance between people at forest fringes and animals for ecological balance. He cleared that gracing is prevented only for those from other States in forest Venkatesh said that since there is good rain and farmers are happy, the State Government is celebrating Dasara grandly. .Hunsur MLA G D Harish Gowda urged for joint survey of revenue and forest land and barricading and construction of mesh on forest fringes to save crops and prevent man animal conflict build, new houses for tribals in rehabilitation centres/areas, increase compensation for relocated Khandre honoured Mahouts and Kaavaadis, the caretakers of Dasara jumbos and invited them formally with thamboola for the successful Dasara. Performances by Children of tribal hamlets studying in Girijana Ashrama school enthralled people. .Doddahejjuru Gram Panchayat president Ambika Lokesh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Meenakshi Negi, Southern Range IG M B Boralingaiah, SP N Vishnuvardhana ZP CEO S Ukesh Kumar participated. The Elephants were brought in lorries to Mysuru by Monday are being housed at Aranya Bhavan Thursday, they will be traditionally welcomed by Mysuru district administration in another event at Jayamarthanda gate of Mysuru Palace. .Later the Elephants and their caretakers will be housed at Palace premises till the end of Dasara. This year's Mysuru Dasara will be inaugurated atop the Chamundi Hill on September 22. Jamboo Savari will be held on Vijayadashami, on October 2. The newly installed 'Arjuna Award', in the memory of Dasara veteran elephant Arjuna, who died during an operation, was presented to mahout of elephant Bheema, Gunda and Kavaadi of the same elephant Nanjunda. The award was presented recognising the services of these staff who have succeeded in training the wild jumbos and participating along with elephants in the rescue operation of wild animals like tiger during man-animal conflict. Arjuna died on December 4, 2023 fighting a wild jumbo during an operation to fix radio collars on troublesome wild elephants, at Alur, Belur, Sakleshpur and Yesalur. H D Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu had suggested the minister to install this award.
