Mysuru: Elephant Abhimanyu, who had majestically carried the Golden Howdah during Dasara procession  for six  times in a row from 2020 to 2025, was not chosen by the Forest Department officials for the job this time which has caused widespread resentment among the general public.

The officials had stated that though Abhimanyu is capable to handle the responsibility, he was not selected because of his age. They are also for preparing other elephants to carry the Golden Howdah.

Former Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, echoing public opinion, urged authorities to give Abhimanyu a respectable farewell by selecting him to be ‘Nishane’ elephant during this year’s Jumboo Savari. Following Khandre’s appeal, Forest Dept. has allowed Abhimanyu to participate in this year’s Dasara as ‘Nishane’ elephant.