Mysuru: Mysuru Dasara elephant Dhananjaya has been selected to carry the wooden ambari during the Srirangapatna Dasara Mahotsava scheduled for October 15, Conservator of Forests Ravishankar has said.

Speaking to media persons on Monday, Ravishankar said female elephants Lakshmi and Roopa would accompany the procession as kumki elephants.

Dhananjaya, from the Dubare elephant camp, was selected for the responsibility after another Dasara elephant, Prashantha, reportedly refused to move during training after the wooden howdah was placed on its back.

Dhananjaya replaces Prashantha for Srirangapatna Dasara

Prashantha has been participating in the Srirangapatna Dasara celebrations for the past four years. However, during this year’s training, the elephant refused to move from its position after the wooden howdah was placed on its back. The incident occurred twice, according to Ravishankar.

Following these incidents, forest officials selected Dhananjaya to carry the wooden ambari during the Srirangapatna Dasara procession.

The selection is part of the preparations for the annual festivities, in which elephants play a prominent role in the traditional procession. The elephants undergo training to familiarise themselves with the procession environment and the weight of the howdah.

Lakshmi and Roopa will serve as kumki elephants during the event. Kumki elephants are trained elephants commonly used to assist in managing and guiding other elephants during operations and public events.

Golden howdah carrier for Mysuru Dasara yet to be announced

Meanwhile, the selection of the elephant that will carry the 750-kg golden howdah during the Mysuru Dasara Vijayadashami procession remains undecided.

Responding to a question on the selection, Ravishankar said the elephants were undergoing routine training every day and that forest officials were closely monitoring their strength and preparedness.

He added that the name of the elephant chosen to carry the golden howdah would be announced three days before the Vijayadashami celebrations.

The golden howdah is the centrepiece of the grand Jamboo Savari procession, one of the main attractions of Mysuru Dasara. The elephant selected for this responsibility must undergo extensive preparation and demonstrate the ability to carry the heavy structure during the procession.

The forest department is continuing to assess the elephants as preparations progress for the culmination of Mysuru Dasara on October 21.

Preparations continue for Dasara processions

The selection of Dhananjaya for Srirangapatna Dasara comes as preparations gather pace for Dasara celebrations across the region.

The Srirangapatna event on October 15 will feature the traditional procession, with Dhananjaya carrying the wooden ambari and Lakshmi and Roopa serving as kumki elephants.

In Mysuru, officials are continuing the daily training and monitoring of the elephants ahead of the Vijayadashami procession. The final decision on the golden howdah carrier will depend on assessments of the elephants’ strength and readiness.

The announcement of the selected elephant is expected three days before the main procession, according to the Conservator of Forests.