Mysuru: The statue of Dasara elephant Arjuna, who tragically lost his life during a wild elephant capture operation after being attacked by a tusker in musth, has been completed and installed at Yeslur, Hassan.

Arjuna died on Dec. 3, 2023, at Dabballikatte in Hassan during a Forest Department operation to capture a wild elephant that had been troubling several villages, including Yeslur. Responding to public demand, a memorial was proposed at the site where Arjuna died.

Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre ordered the construction of two memorials: One at the site of Arjuna’s death and another at his last residing camp at Balle, along with statues to honour the legendary elephant. While the statue’s installation was initially planned for the first anniversary of Arjuna’s death, construction delays pushed it to early this year.

The statue, crafted over three months at the Balle Elephant Camp in the Nagarahole Reserve Forest area of H.D. Kote Taluk, was transported by truck to Yeslur on Monday. Under the leadership of Hassan DCF Saurabh Kumar, the statue was installed yesterday at the memorial site where Arjuna died.

Some minor finishing touches remain around the statue, after which it will be officially unveiled by Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre. A second statue, nearing completion, will be installed at the Balle Elephant Camp. Both statues are expected to be inaugurated on the same day.

The fibre statue, measuring 2.98 meters in height, 3.74 meters in length and with a chest circumference of 4.29 meters, weighs 650 kg. It has been praised for its striking resemblance to Arjuna.

“Arjuna, in a way, is our State’s cultural ambassador. The Dasara elephant Arjuna is our pride. Rarely do we see Dasara ambassadors who have earned such trust and admiration from the public. Arjuna, true to his name, was dignified and strong, and he will forever remain in people’s hearts,” said A.P. Nagesh, a wildlife enthusiast of Mysuru, who recently organised a tribute event to Arjuna.