Mysuru: The third and final cannon-firing rehearsal for Mysuru Dasara 2026 was conducted successfully at the Dasara Exhibition grounds parking lot on M.G. Road on October 12, with 11 elephants, 44 Mounted Police horses and 40 Pirangi Dal personnel participating in the drill.
The rehearsal was organised to familiarise Dasara elephants and Mounted Police horses with the loud sound of cannon fire ahead of the grand Jumboo Savari procession. Officials said the animals remained calm during the firing, marking a successful conclusion to the final round of preparations.
Seven cannons fire 21 rounds
The drill involved seven cannons fired by Pirangi Dal personnel in three rounds, producing a total of 21 shots. Before the cannon firing began, crackers were burst to help the animals adjust to the sounds.
Around 1.5 kg of gunpowder was used for each cannon in every round. Despite the loud noise, all 11 elephants and the Mounted Police horses remained calm during the exercise.
The elephants entered the Dasara Exhibition premises through the Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysuru Palace before being taken to the parking area for the rehearsal.
Religious rituals delay rehearsal
The drill, initially expected earlier in the morning, was delayed until around 9 am due to religious rituals taking place at the Palace.
Royal Elephant Srikanta and lead elephant Ekalavya were participating in the rituals, along with the Royal Cow, Royal Horse and Royal Camel, which were being taken in a procession within the Palace premises.
Of the 13 Dasara elephants, 11 participated in the final rehearsal. Ekalavya and Srikanta were absent because of their involvement in the Palace rituals.
Dhananjaya, Roopa and Lakshmi selected for Srirangapatna Dasara
Conservator of Forests Dr S.S. Ravishankar confirmed that the final cannon-firing rehearsal had been completed successfully.
He also said that Dasara elephants Dhananjaya, Roopa and Lakshmi had been selected to participate in Srirangapatna Dasara.
The elephant that will carry the Golden Howdah during Mysuru Dasara’s Jumboo Savari procession is yet to be finalised. The selection will be made after the procession rehearsal scheduled to take place within the Palace premises.
The Golden Howdah is one of the key attractions of the annual Vijayadashami procession, making the selection of the elephant a significant part of the festival preparations.
Safety measures for Pirangi Dal personnel
Deputy Commissioner of Police for the City Armed Reserve (CAR), Basavanagowda Patil, said the third and final rehearsal had gone smoothly.
He added that all Pirangi Dal personnel involved in the cannon-firing exercise had been insured and assigned specific responsibilities.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr I.B. Prabhu Gowda, Range Forest Officer Yashma Machamma, veterinarian Dr Adarsh, elephant caretakers and other officials were present during the rehearsal.
With the final cannon-firing drill completed, the preparations have reached an important stage ahead of the Jumboo Savari, as officials continue to coordinate the participation of elephants, horses and personnel in Mysuru’s annual Dasara celebrations.