Mysuru: The first batch of nine Dasara elephants has arrived at Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram, marking another important step in preparations for the grand Mysuru Dasara celebrations. The elephants reached the city after participating in the traditional Gajapayana, the ceremonial journey from the forest towards Mysuru.
The jumbos travelled from the Veeranahosahalli Gate of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur and arrived at Aranya Bhavan on Wednesday evening. Their arrival drew enthusiastic crowds along the route, with residents and passers-by gathering to catch a glimpse of the elephants and record the procession on their mobile phones.
After reaching Aranya Bhavan, the elephants were given a bath by their Mahouts and Kavadis and allowed to rest after the long journey. They will soon begin preparations for their participation in the iconic Jumboo Savari procession, one of the major attractions of Mysuru Dasara.
Nine elephants reach Aranya Bhavan
The first batch consists of nine elephants selected to participate in this year’s Dasara festivities.
The elephants are Dhananjaya, Prashanth, Gopi, Srirama, Kaveri, Mahendra, Lakshmi, Ekalavya and Srikanta. Their ages range from 41 to 57 years.
The elephants arrived in Mysuru after completing the traditional Gajapayana at Veeranahosahalli.
Gajapayana marks the ceremonial beginning of the elephants’ journey from their forest camps towards Mysuru. It is an important part of the preparations for the annual Dasara festivities and attracts officials, villagers and tourists.
Crowds welcome Dasara jumbos
The arrival of the elephants created excitement across Mysuru.
People gathered along the roads as the elephant convoy made its way towards Aranya Bhavan. Residents living near the Forest Department office had reportedly assembled well in advance to watch the jumbos arrive.
As the convoy passed through Krishnaraja Boulevard, several motorists stopped to watch the elephants. Some took photographs and videos, while others followed the convoy until it reached Aranya Bhavan.
The sight of the decorated elephants travelling towards the city has become an eagerly awaited part of the Dasara preparations every year.
Police and Forest Department ensure safe passage
The movement of the elephants through the city required careful coordination between the Forest Department and the Police Department.
Security arrangements were put in place along the route to ensure that the convoy could move safely through traffic and that members of the public maintained a safe distance from the elephants.
Large crowds gathered at different points, particularly when the convoy passed through busy roads.
The coordinated arrangements helped the elephants reach Aranya Bhavan safely following their journey from the forest.
Elephants recover after long journey
Once the elephants reached Aranya Bhavan, their Mahouts and Kavadis immediately began helping them settle down.
The elephants were given baths to help them recover from the stress and fatigue associated with transportation and the long journey.
Srikanta, Ekalavya and Mahendra were later seen resting at Aranya Bhavan.
The rest period is important before the elephants begin their next stage of preparation for Dasara.
Temporary facilities arranged at Aranya Bhavan
The Forest Department has made arrangements at Aranya Bhavan for the elephants and the people accompanying them.
Temporary sheds have been constructed for the Mahouts, Kavadis and their family members.
The arrangements are intended to ensure that the elephant teams have suitable accommodation while they remain at Aranya Bhavan.
The Mahouts and Kavadis play a crucial role in taking care of the elephants throughout the Dasara season.
Traditional welcome at Mysore Palace
The elephants are scheduled to receive a traditional welcome at the Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysore Palace.
The welcome is scheduled between 9.52 am and 10.19 am in the auspicious Tula Lagna.
The traditional ceremony at the Palace is an important part of the Dasara preparations.
Following the ceremony, the elephants will be housed at the Palace premises as they undergo further training and preparations for the festivities.
Training for Jumboo Savari begins
After their arrival in Mysuru, the Forest Department will begin training the first batch of nine elephants along the Jumboo Savari route.
Training is essential because the elephants have to become accustomed to the city environment, crowds, traffic, sounds and the specific route they will follow during the Dasara procession.
The preparation also allows officials and Mahouts to observe the elephants closely and ensure that they are comfortable and fit for their duties.
Dasara elephants have a special role
The Dasara elephants are among the most recognisable symbols of Mysuru’s annual festival.
Their participation in the Jumboo Savari is one of the biggest attractions of the celebrations, drawing thousands of residents and tourists to the city.
The elephants undergo extensive preparation before the main procession.
Their health, behaviour, diet and physical condition are monitored by the Forest Department and veterinary teams.
Gajapayana marks start of preparations
The arrival of the elephants follows the Gajapayana ceremony held at Veeranahosahalli.
The traditional event marks the beginning of the elephants’ journey towards Mysuru.
The first batch of elephants was ceremonially flagged off from the forest gate before beginning the journey towards the city.
The event attracted local residents, tribal communities and officials who gathered to witness the traditional proceedings.
The ceremony also signals that the preparations for Mysuru Dasara have entered an important phase.
Forest officials welcome the elephants
Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Dr IB Prabhu Gowda and other Forest Department officials welcomed the elephants after they arrived at Aranya Bhavan.
Officials are responsible for monitoring the health and welfare of the elephants throughout their stay in Mysuru.
Veterinary care and regular observation are important because the elephants will be participating in several activities before the main Dasara procession.
Elephants expected to adapt to city environment
Moving elephants from forest camps to Mysuru requires them to adapt to a substantially different environment.
In the forest, the elephants are accustomed to natural surroundings, while the city presents traffic, crowds, buildings and unfamiliar sounds.
The training period helps them gradually become comfortable with these conditions.
The Mahouts, who have long experience handling the elephants, play a central role in helping them adapt.
Public interest remains high
The arrival of the elephants has once again demonstrated the enormous public interest surrounding Mysuru Dasara.
Children and adults gathered along the roads to see the jumbos.
For many residents, watching the Dasara elephants arrive in the city is an annual tradition.
The procession through the city also provides visitors with an early glimpse of the festival atmosphere before the major events begin.
Dasara preparations gather pace
With the arrival of the first batch of elephants, preparations for the festival are gathering pace across Mysuru.
The elephants’ arrival is one of the most visible signs that the city is moving towards the Dasara celebrations.
Other preparations involving the Mysore Palace, city administration, Police Department and Forest Department will also continue in the coming weeks.
Role of Mahouts and Kavadis
The Mahouts and Kavadis accompanying the elephants are essential to the success of the Dasara preparations.
They remain closely involved in feeding, bathing, training and caring for the elephants.
Temporary accommodation has been arranged for them and their families at Aranya Bhavan during the initial phase of the elephants’ stay.
Their experience and familiarity with individual elephants help ensure that the animals remain comfortable and manageable during the festival preparations.
Elephant welfare remains important
The welfare of the Dasara elephants is a major responsibility for the Forest Department.
The animals undergo health checks and are monitored throughout the festival period.
Rest following transportation is particularly important because the elephants have travelled from forest camps to Mysuru.
The bath and rest period at Aranya Bhavan provides them with an opportunity to recover before beginning the next phase of training.
More elephants to join later
The first batch of nine will not be the final Dasara contingent.
According to earlier preparations announced by the Forest Department, additional elephants are expected to join the Mysuru contingent in September. Three elephants — Roopa, Chaitra and Srikanta — were scheduled to join the Dasara group in the second week of September, although the latest report lists Srikanta among the first batch that has already arrived.
The final contingent will therefore take shape over the coming weeks.
Mysuru Palace prepares for traditional ceremony
The Palace authorities have made arrangements for the traditional welcome.
The Jayamarthanda Gate will serve as the ceremonial entry point for the elephants.
The welcome ceremony combines traditional rituals with the formal beginning of the elephants’ stay at the Palace.
The event is expected to attract officials, Dasara organisers and members of the public.
Historic tradition continues
The arrival of the Dasara elephants is rooted in a long-standing Mysuru tradition.
The elephants have played a central role in the city’s Dasara celebrations for generations.
The Jumboo Savari, in particular, has become closely associated with the royal heritage and cultural identity of Mysuru.
The continued participation of trained elephants keeps this tradition alive while requiring modern systems of veterinary care, safety and crowd management.
Training will focus on procession route
The Forest Department will begin training the elephants on the Jumboo Savari route after their arrival.
The route training allows the elephants to become familiar with the roads and surroundings where they will eventually participate in the main procession.
It also helps officials identify any behavioural or logistical concerns well before the festival.
Such preparation is particularly important given the large crowds that gather during Dasara.
City gears up for festival season
The arrival of the elephants has added to the festive mood in Mysuru.
The city traditionally sees a significant increase in visitors during Dasara, with tourists arriving to witness the Palace illumination, cultural programmes and the Jumboo Savari.
The elephants remain one of the biggest attractions.
Their arrival therefore marks an important milestone not only for the Forest Department but also for the wider tourism and cultural calendar of Mysuru.
A much-awaited sight for residents
For Mysuru residents, the sight of Dasara elephants travelling through city roads is an annual spectacle.
People often gather along the route to watch the convoy and photograph the animals.
This year was no different, with people reportedly lining the roads and stopping their vehicles as the elephants passed through Krishnaraja Boulevard.
The excitement reflects the strong cultural connection between Mysuru and the Dasara elephant tradition.
Safety arrangements will remain crucial
As the elephants begin training in the city, maintaining public safety will remain a priority.
Large numbers of people are likely to gather wherever the elephants are present.
The Police and Forest Departments will therefore need to continue managing crowds and ensuring that people do not approach the animals too closely.
The earlier arrangements during the arrival demonstrate the importance of coordination between the two departments.
Countdown to Dasara continues
With the first batch now in Mysuru, the countdown to the festival has entered another stage.
The elephants will undergo training, health monitoring and other preparations before taking part in the main celebrations.
Their traditional welcome at the Mysore Palace will provide another major ceremonial moment in the run-up to Dasara.
The arrival also signals that Mysuru is preparing for one of the biggest cultural events on its annual calendar.
Conclusion
Mysuru: The first batch of nine Dasara elephants has arrived at Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram after completing the traditional Gajapayana journey from Veeranahosahalli Gate of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. The elephants were given baths and allowed to rest after reaching the city.
The jumbos — Dhananjaya, Prashanth, Gopi, Srirama, Kaveri, Mahendra, Lakshmi, Ekalavya and Srikanta — will now begin preparations for the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festivities. The Forest Department is set to train them along the Jumboo Savari route before the main celebrations.
The elephants will also receive a traditional welcome at the Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysore Palace between 9.52 am and 10.19 am in the auspicious Tula Lagna. Their arrival in the city has already generated considerable excitement among residents and visitors.
With the Dasara jumbos now in Mysuru, preparations for the festival have entered a crucial phase, bringing the city another step closer to the grand celebrations.