Mysuru: Dasara elephant Srikanta has been selected as the Pattada Aane (royal elephant) for the 2026 Mysuru Dasara celebrations, while Ekalavya will serve as the Pattada Nishane Aane, the elephant that carries the royal insignia during the Palace rituals.
The decision was taken following an inspection of the first batch of nine Dasara elephants by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar at the Mysuru Palace. The selection continues the roles assigned to the two elephants during the previous year’s Dasara celebrations.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar inspects Dasara elephants
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar personally inspected the nine elephants housed at the Mysuru Palace premises on September 3 evening.
The nine-member team comprises seven male and two female elephants. The animals were brought through the Aane Bagilu and assembled at the Savari Thotti for the inspection.
During the visit, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar offered sugarcane, jaggery and fruits to the elephants before examining each animal.
Following the inspection, she announced that Srikanta would once again take on the role of Pattada Aane, while Ekalavya would be the Pattada Nishane Aane.
The two elephants will participate in the private durbar of the erstwhile royal family as well as other religious ceremonies held at the Palace during the Dasara period. According to the report, these Palace rituals will take place from October 11 to 21.
Srikanta to continue as Pattada Aane
Srikanta, a 57-year-old elephant from the Mathigodu Elephant Camp, was the heaviest among the first batch of nine elephants when they underwent a weight assessment recently.
He weighed 5,790 kg, ahead of Ekalavya, who weighed 5,600 kg. Srikanta made his Dasara debut in 2025 and was assigned the Pattada Aane role during the royal family’s Palace rituals.
The elephant was named in memory of the late royal scion Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar.
His continued selection as the Pattada Aane gives him an important ceremonial role during the Palace celebrations. While the Pattada Aane is associated with the royal family’s traditional Palace rituals, the elephant carrying the Golden Howdah in the public Jumboo Savari procession is a separate role.
Ekalavya chosen as Pattada Nishane Aane
Ekalavya, a 41-year-old elephant from the Bheemanakatte Elephant Camp, has been selected as the Pattada Nishane Aane.
He was the second-heaviest elephant among the first batch, weighing 5,600 kg during the recent assessment.
As Pattada Nishane Aane, Ekalavya will carry the royal insignia during the ceremonial events associated with the royal family’s Dasara observances.
His role will include participation in the private durbar and religious ceremonies at Mysuru Palace along with Srikanta.
Nine elephants inspected at Palace
The inspection involved all nine elephants from the first batch brought to the Palace for Dasara preparations.
The group includes Srikanta, Ekalavya, Dhananjaya, Mahendra, Prashantha, Gopi, Srirama, Lakshmi and Kaveri.
According to the recent weight assessment, Dhananjaya from Dubare Elephant Camp weighed 5,530 kg, followed by Mahendra from Balle at 5,490 kg. Prashantha weighed 5,205 kg and Gopi 5,170 kg.
Srirama weighed 4,820 kg, while Lakshmi weighed 3,990 kg. Kaveri, at 3,075 kg, was the lightest of the nine.
The weight assessment is being used by the Forest Department to prepare customised diets and nutritional supplements for the elephants as they undergo training.
Elephants prepare for Dasara ceremonies
The Dasara elephants have already begun acclimatisation and training activities in Mysuru.
The animals are gradually being familiarised with the city environment, including traffic, crowds, sounds and the routes associated with the festivities. They are expected to undergo regular rehearsals as preparations for the grand Dasara celebrations gather pace.
The elephants’ health is also being closely monitored. Forest officials have been planning diets based on individual requirements, with food including rice balls mixed with jaggery, vegetables, coconuts, sugarcane and pulses.
The arrangements are particularly important because the elephants have to adapt to the sights and sounds of Mysuru before participating in ceremonial events.
Palace rituals from October 11 to 21
The selection of Srikanta and Ekalavya comes ahead of the 11-day Dasara celebrations planned at Mysuru Palace.
The two elephants will be part of the royal family’s private durbar and religious ceremonies during the period from October 11 to October 21, according to Star of Mysore.
Their roles are distinct from the arrangements for the public Vijayadashami procession. The selection reflects the continuation of traditional elephant-related ceremonies associated with the erstwhile Mysuru royal family’s Dasara observances.
Meanwhile, preparations are also progressing for the public celebrations, including the Jumboo Savari and other cultural programmes across Mysuru.
Forest officials oversee preparations
Several Forest Department officials and Palace representatives were present during the inspection.
Those present included Adyaveer Narasimharaja Wadiyar, son of Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr I.B. Prabhu Gowda, Range Forest Officer Yashma Machamma and veterinarian Dr Adarsh.
The Forest Department plays a key role in preparing and managing the Dasara elephant team, from their selection and transportation to health monitoring, nutrition and training.
With the animals now at the Palace, officials will continue to monitor their health and behaviour as the festival approaches.
Srikanta and Ekalavya take centre stage
The selection of Srikanta and Ekalavya gives both elephants prominent ceremonial responsibilities during the 2026 Mysuru Dasara.
Srikanta will continue as Pattada Aane, while Ekalavya will carry the royal insignia as Pattada Nishane Aane. Both will participate in the Palace’s traditional ceremonies, adding to the grandeur of the royal family’s Dasara observances.
As preparations intensify, the elephants will undergo further training and acclimatisation while officials maintain close supervision of their health and safety.
With Mysuru gearing up for another edition of its famed Dasara celebrations, the presence of the ceremonial elephants remains one of the festival’s most closely watched traditions.