Abhimanyu joins festivities

Fans follow his truck on bikes & cars from Hunsur to Mysuru

Mysuru: Abhimanyu, who carried the Golden Howdah six times during the Jumboo Savari and retired this year, received a traditional Poornakumbha welcome on his arrival at Mysore Palace this morning.

Abhimanyu, housed at Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Kodagu, inside the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, arrived at the Palace in a Forest Department truck at around 9 am.

A flower carpet had been laid at the Jayamarthanda Gate to welcome him. A large number of his fans followed him from Hunsur to Mysuru on bikes and in cars.

After Abhimanyu alighted from the truck, he was given a traditional welcome at the Jayamarthanda Gate. Palace Priest S.V. Prahallad Rao performed puja to the elephant and applied kumkum and turmeric to his feet.

The other Dasara elephants lined up and raised their trunks as a mark of respect to their ‘Captain’ and senior. A huge garland made of sweet lime (mosambi), weighing around 80 kg, was placed around Abhimanyu.

Many of Abhimanyu’s fans, wearing T-shirts bearing his photograph (see pic. alongside), had gathered outside the Palace to welcome him and were delighted to see their favourite elephant.

MLA T.S. Srivatsa, Palace Board Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya, DCF Dr.I.B. Prabhugowda, Palace Security ACP Chandrashekar, RFO Yashma Machamma, Veterinarian Dr. Adarsh, Abhimanyu’s mahout Vasantha, kavadi Raju and others were present.

Sudden retirement move irked fans

The sudden announcement of Abhimanyu’s retirement had upset his fans. The Forest Department also came under criticism for not giving him a ceremonial farewell after he was dropped from this year’s Dasara elephant squad.

Traditionally, elephants that retire after carrying the Golden Howdah are honoured as the ‘Nishane’ (lead) elephant in the following year’s Dasara procession. Balarama and Arjuna were accorded this honour after their retirement.

However, despite carrying the Golden Howdah for six consecutive years from 2020, Abhimanyu was not included in this year’s squad, leading to criticism. He was given a farewell during Gajapayana at Veeranahosahalli on Aug. 26 and sent back to his camp, which caused  resentment among his fans and the public.

Abhimanyu, now 59 and entering his 60th year, was expected to carry the Golden Howdah for the final time this year. However, senior authorities reportedly decided against entrusting him with the responsibility.

Campaigns and protests followed, with fans demanding that Abhimanyu be given the role of ‘Nishane Aane’ in keeping with the tradition. Following the public demand, Forest Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy directed the officials to accord a befitting farewell to Abhimanyu.

No need to train Abhimanyu: DCF

DCF Dr. I.B. Prabhugowda said Abhimanyu does not require training as he is already accustomed to loud sounds and noise. However, he will take part in the training along with the other elephants from tomorrow, he said.

Training to acclimatise the Dasara elephants to the booming sounds of cannons will be held on Oct. 7, 9 and 12, the DCF said. He appealed to the public not to go close to the elephants and to watch them from a safe distance.