4 days ago
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.
