The heritage city of Mysuru came alive on Sunday evening, August 10, as the first batch of nine majestic Dasara elephants received a traditional and ceremonial welcome at the Mysuru Palace premises. Despite a light drizzle, the atmosphere was electric, with crowds gathering to witness the grand event during the auspicious Ghodhooli Lagna at 6:43 pm, held at the Jayamarthanda Gate.
Led by the mighty Abhimanyu, the elephants — Lakshmi, Kaveri, Bheema, Mahendra, Ekalavya, Prashantha, Dhananjaya, and Kanjan — arrived adorned in caparisons. Mysuru district in-charge Minister and Dasara Executive Committee head H C Mahadevappa, joined by other dignitaries, performed a series of rituals including Dwarapalaka puja, Paada pooje, Chamaraseve, and Mangalarathi.
Guests fed the pachyderms jaggery, sugarcane, bananas, and festive treats like chakkuli, kajjaaya, and rave unde. A guard of honour — unique to Mysuru — was offered to the elephants by a special police band.
The evening continued with a mini procession through the illuminated Palace grounds, featuring mounted police, poorna kumba bearers, and vibrant folk troupes such as dollu kunitha and beesu kamsaale. The Mysuru Palace Board also conducted a special drushti nivaarane ritual to ward off evil.
Priests from the Chamundeshwari and Ganesha temples offered prayers for the successful conduct of Dasara, including the Gaja Puja for the golden howdah’s divine occupant — Goddess Chamundeshwari.
With the arrival of these revered elephants, the countdown to Mysuru’s world-famous Dasara Jamboo Savari has truly begun