11 elephants, 44 horses, 40 Pirangi Dal personnel take part

Mysuru: The third and final rehearsal of cannon firing drill to acclimatise Dasara elephants and Mounted Police horses to the booming sound of cannons was held successfully at the Dasara Expo parking lot on M.G. Road this morning.

Out of 13 Dasara elephants, 11 elephants took part in the drill. Ekalavya and Srikanta are taking part in religious rituals at the Palace. Forty-four horses from the Mounted Police Force and 40 Pirangi Dal unit personnel took part in the drill.

As religious rituals are going on at the Palace, Royal Elephant Srikanta and Lead Elephant Ekalavya, along with Royal Cow, Royal Horse and Royal Camel were being taken in a procession inside the Palace premises and hence, the cannon firing drill was delayed and was held at about 9 am.

The 11 Dasara jumbos were brought through Jayamarthanda Gate of the Palace and entered Dasara Expo premises from where they were led to the parking lot. Cracker was burst initially and later, seven cannons were used to fire 21 shots in three rounds by the Pirangi Dal personnel, during which the elephants and horses remained calm. About 1.5-kg gunpowder was used for one cannon per round.  

Conservator of Forests (CF) Dr. S.S. Ravishankar said that the final cannon firing rehearsal was held successfully  this morning.

All 11 Dasara elephants and Mounted Police horses were calm when cannons were fired which is a good development.

The Conservator of Forests further said that Dasara jumbos Dhananjaya, Roopa and Lakshmi have been selected for Srirangapatna Dasara besides stating that the howdah elephant to carry the Golden Howdah will be selected after the Jumboo Savari procession rehearsal which will be held in the Palace premises.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of City Armed Reserve (CAR) Police force Basavanagowda Patil said that the third and final round was held successfully today.

He said that all Pirangi Dal unit personnel have been insured and each of them has been given their responsibilities to fulfil.

Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Dr. I.B. Prabhu Gowda, Range Forest Officer (RFO) Yashma Machamma, Veterinarian Dr. Adarsh, elephant caretakers and others were present.