Grand welcome at Mysore Palace tomorrow between 9.52 am and 10.19 am
Mysuru: The first batch of nine Dasara elephants arrived at Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram yesterday evening after participating in Gajapayana, the traditional march of elephants towards Mysuru, from Veeranahosahalli Gate of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur.
People lined up on both sides of the roads, cheering and recording videos as the elephants were transported in lorries to Aranya Bhavan. Residents living near the Forest Department office, who had gathered well in advance, cheered with joy as the elephants arrived.
As the lorries passed through Krishnaraja Boulevard, several passers-by stopped their vehicles to catch the first glimpse of the jumbos. While some stopped to record videos, others followed the convoy till Aranya Bhavan.
As news of the arrival of the Dasara elephants spread, people from different parts of the city gathered in large numbers along the routes taken by the elephant convoy. The Police and Forest Departments made security arrangements to ensure the safe passage of the elephants.
Following the Gajapayana rituals at Veeranahosahalli in Hunsur yesterday, the first batch of nine elephants, Dhananjaya, 45, Prashanth, 54, Gopi, 43, Srirama, 41, Kaveri, 46, Mahendra, 42, Lakshmi, 54, Ekalavya, 41 and Srikanta, 57, reached Mysuru safely.
DCF (Wildlife) Dr. I.B. Prabhu Gowda and other Forest Department officials welcomed the elephants at Aranya Bhavan.
Elephants relax after journey
Soon after their arrival, the elephants were given a bath by their Mahouts and Kavadis to help them recover from the stress of the journey. Srikanta, Ekalavya and Mahendra were later seen relaxing at Aranya Bhavan.
The Forest Department has constructed temporary sheds at Aranya Bhavan for the Mahouts, Kavadis and their family members. The elephants will stay at Aranya Bhavan till tomorrow morning, before being taken to the Mysore Palace for the traditional welcome.
The elephants will be accorded a traditional welcome at the Jayamarthanda Gate of the Mysore Palace on Bengaluru-Nilgiri Road between 9.52 am and 10.19 am in the auspicious Tula Lagna.
The District Administration has made arrangements at the Palace premises for the stay of Mahouts, Kavadis and their family members. Sheds have also been constructed to ensure the comfortable stay of the Mahouts, their families and the elephants.
Following their arrival, the Forest Dept. will begin training the first batch of 9 Dasara elephants on the Jumboo Savari route.
This post was published on August 27, 2026 7:30 pm