Date:19/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081957600300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Jumbos start their journey for Dasara celebrations

Staff Correspondent

First batch of six elephants sets out from Nagarahole

MYSORE: Elephants have begun their journey from the jungle camps of Nagarahole to the “City of Palaces” to participate in the Dasara festivities.

The first batch of six elephants led by the golden howdah-carrying Balarama set out from the forests of Veerannahosahalli in Nagarahole National Park on a symbolic “Gajapayana” to Mysore to prepare for the Jamboo Savari on Vijayadashami, which marks the finale of the festivities.

The caparisoned elephants, accompanied by their “mahouts” and “kavadis”, were accorded a grand welcome when they arrived at the gate of the Veerannahosahalli forests in Hunsur taluk from their camps in Hebballa, Sunkadakatte and Balle.

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and district in-charge Shobha Karandlaje welcomed the six elephants — Balarama, Gajendra, Abhimanyu, Sarala, Arjuna and Vijaya — with floral offerings. Prior to this, a puja was performed at the Lord Ganesh Temple.

Cultural programmes

Residents of Gurupura Tibetan settlements presented cultural programmes.

Tribal children from Ashram School gave a dance presentation.

The whole village wore a festive look and women and children performed puja to the gentle giants before they set out on the journey.

“Gajapayana,” the stately march of the elephants which was in vogue during the times of the Mysore Maharajas, was revived in 2004 when the State Government decided to celebrate Dasara on a grand scale after three consecutive drought spells. But since some pachyderms developed sores after they trekked 70 km to reach Mysore, the administration decided to bring them in trucks after a symbolic “Gajapayana,” from 2005 onwards. Another reason for discontinuing the 70-km march was that people along the route made offerings to the elephants causing some of the animals to develop dysentery. Balarama is the tallest among the Dasara elephants. The 50-year-old has carried the golden howdah and the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari during 14 Dasara festivities.

It has carried on the tradition of Drona that was electrocuted in the forests of Nagarahole in 1998.

The second batch of six elephants will shortly begin their journey to Mysore. All the 12 will rehearse for the Jamboo Savari for over a month.

The elephants, mahouts and their families will camp on the palace premises until the festivities conclude.