Mysuru: After 58 days in Mysuru, including 50 days of training and preparations for the grand Vijayadashami Jamboo Savari procession, all 13 Dasara elephants returned to their respective forest camps on Thursday evening.

The elephants, which played key roles in the annual Mysuru Dasara celebrations, underwent weight checks at the Sairam and Co. weighing bridge on Dhanvanthri Road before their health was assessed. They were also taken to the Palace Ganesha Temple, where they received a farewell from priest S V Prahlad Rao before departing for their camps.

Forest officials praised the elephants, mahouts and kavadis for ensuring the successful completion of the procession, which attracts large crowds to Mysuru every year.

Prashantha leads Jamboo Savari with golden howdah

Prashantha, flanked by kumki elephants Cauvery and Roopa, carried the golden howdah during the Vijayadashami procession, fulfilling one of the most prestigious responsibilities in Mysuru Dasara.

The 60-year-old Abhimanyu, who has carried the golden howdah six times, was assigned the role of Nishaane elephant this year. Gopi served as the Nauphath elephant, while Mahendra and Lakshmi, Srirama and Chithra, and Sugreeva, Srikanta and Ekalavya marched in the Saalane elephant groups.

Forest officials, including Chief Conservator of Forests S S Ravishankar, Deputy Conservator of Forests I B Prabhugowda and Range Forest Officer Yeshma Maachamma, along with veterinarian Dr Adarsh, appreciated the elephants and their caretakers for carrying out their duties successfully.

Prashantha’s mahout Chinnappa and kavadi Chandra were also present during the return arrangements.

Elephants remain calm amid crowds and cannon fire

Deputy Conservator of Forests I B Prabhugowda, who is in charge of the Dasara elephants, said the animals remained composed throughout the procession because of their training and familiarity with the route and surrounding conditions.

He said the elephants had become accustomed to the crowds, cannon shots and other sounds associated with the Jamboo Savari. Despite the loud cheers and whistles from spectators, they remained calm while moving along the procession route.

Apart from Prashantha, elephants Mahendra, Dhananjaya, Ekalavya and Sugreeva have also been trained as alternatives to carry the golden howdah, as they are capable of bearing the required weight.

Prabhugowda said the elephants would now return to their forest camps, where they would also be allowed to venture into the forest and enjoy time in their natural surroundings.

The successful completion of the procession marked the end of a demanding period for the elephants and their caretakers, who spent weeks preparing for the annual event.

Special diet helps elephants gain weight

The elephants were given nutritious food during their stay in Mysuru to build stamina and maintain their fitness for the procession. Several animals recorded an increase in weight between their arrival in August and their departure on October 22.

Abhimanyu, who arrived in Mysuru on October 5, returned to the Matthigodu camp in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve weighing 5,585 kg. This year’s Dasara duty was particularly emotional for his mahout, Vasantha, following the death of Abhimanyu’s mate, Ambika, last week due to ill health.

Weight records from August 30, shortly after the elephants arrived on August 26, showed the following changes by October 22:

  • Prashantha: Increased from 5,205 kg to 5,425 kg.
  • Srikanta: Increased from 5,790 kg to 6,040 kg.
  • Ekalavya: Increased from 5,600 kg to 5,915 kg.
  • Dhananjaya: Decreased from 5,530 kg to 5,470 kg.
  • Mahendra: Increased from 5,490 kg to 5,620 kg.
  • Gopi: Increased from 5,170 kg to 5,415 kg.
  • Srirama: Increased from 4,820 kg to 5,150 kg.

The records indicate that most of the elephants gained weight during their stay, while Dhananjaya recorded a modest decrease.

Elephants return to their respective forest camps

The elephants were transported by lorry to their respective camps on Thursday evening, accompanied by their mahouts and kavadis.

Prashantha, aged 54, returned to the Dubare camp under the Madikeri wildlife division with mahout Chinnappa and kavadi Chandra.

Mahendra, 42, returned to the Balle camp in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve with mahout Rajanna and kavadi Mallikarjuna. Lakshmi, 55, also returned to Balle with mahout Mahesha and kavadi S Madhu.

Ekalavya, aged 41, returned to the Bheemanakatte camp in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve with mahout S Idayat and kavadi Prasanna.

Roopa, 45, headed back to the Doddaharave camp in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve with mahout Manjunatha and kavadi Manju. Chithra, aged 55, returned to the Ramapura camp in Bandipur Tiger Reserve with mahout Kalim Pasha and kavadi Pratap.

The return journey marked the end of the elephants’ annual Dasara assignment, after which they will resume their routine at their respective camps.

Breakfast offered in memory of wildlife photographer

In a gesture of remembrance, Geetha Prahlad Rao, mother of wildlife photographer H P Ashwin, who died in January, offered breakfast to the caretakers of the Dasara elephants in her son’s memory.

The gesture acknowledged the dedication of the mahouts, kavadis and other personnel who care for the elephants throughout their stay and help prepare them for one of Karnataka’s most prominent cultural celebrations.

With the Jamboo Savari completed successfully, the elephants have returned to their forest camps, where they can rest and spend time in their natural surroundings before preparations begin for next year’s Mysuru Dasara.