Mysuru: The diet and care pattern of the Dasara elephants play a vital role in the performance of the elephants during the resplendent Dasara festival in Mysuru. The Dasara elephants gain considerably good weight during their stay at the palace and of the lot, Balarama (58), who carried Golden Howdah for thirteen consecutive years put on 650 kg, thus becoming the Dasara elephant to gain highest weight.
Balarama has been gaining highest weight over the last three years. When he arrived at the palace this year, he was 4920 kgs and now he weighs 5570 kgs. Kaveri, with mere 215 kgs became the elephant to gain least weight.
Arjuna, the elephant which carried the Golden Howdah this year gained 255 kgs over his 5615 kg weight. He weighed the highest when he arrived at the palace.
Meanwhile, 61-year-old Gajendra gained 600kg as against his entry weight of 4620. Abhimanyu (50), Vijaya (59) and Kaveri (35) added 435kg, 220kg and 215kg respectively. They now weigh 5290kg, 2855kg and 3220kg respectively.
Veterinarian Dr Nagaraj who is looking after Dasara jumbos said, “Most of the elephants have gained good weight. Balarama weighs highest with 650kg. All the elephants are in good health.”
