Festivities to begin on September 25
The second batch of Dasara elephants participating in the Vijayadashami procession (Jamboo Savari) arrived in the city on Wednesday.
The arrival of the second batch is devoid of the traditional reception accorded to the first batch, whose entry signals the countdown to Dasara festivities. However, the Forest Department staff in charge of the elephants arranged for special prayers on their arrival at the Mysore palace.
The second batch includes Srirama and Durgaparameshwari from K. Gudi camp; Gopalswamy from Tithimathi; Gopi, Harsha and Vikram from Dubare elephant camp. The elephants and their mahouts have been accommodated on the palace premises.
The elephants will join Arjuna, Balarama and company for rehearsal from Friday.
While Arjuna will carry the 750-kg golden howdah on the day of the procession, Gajendra is designated as the royal elephant and will participate in some of the rituals associated with Dasara.
The elephants will be put on a special diet to gain additional weight and will walk along the procession route twice a day to get acclimatised to the noise and crowd.
(The Hindu)
