Mysuru: The first batch of nine Dasara elephants were accorded a traditional welcome at the Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysore Palace, this morning between 9.52 am and 10.19 am in the auspicious Tula lagna, to take part in this year’s Dasara festivities to be held between Oct. 11 and Oct. 21.

As soon as the jumbos arrived at the Palace, priest S.V. Prahalad Rao performed various puja rituals before Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy and District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah showered flower petal on the elephants to officially welcome them into the Mysore Palace premises. Chamundeshwari Temple chief priest Dr. Shashishekar Dixit also performed mangalarathi to the jumbos before distributing prasada brought from the hill temple.

The jumbos were treated to a variety of delicacies such as chakkli, kodbale among others along with fruits on their arrival at the Palace. Following the puja rituals the City Armed Reserve (CAR) Police personnel gave a guard of honour for the elephants, before they were taken to Aane Thotti at the Palace. The elephants were accompanied by various cultural troupes and folk troupes including dollu kunita, kamsale, chande maddale and nadaswara artistes.

Later, on their arrival at Aane Thotti, the Dasara Jumbos were formally handed over to the District Administration for the Dasara festivities. Ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah distributed kits with essentials to mahouts and kavadis on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the second batch of Dasara elephants are expected to arrive at the Mysore Palace during the second week of September.

Speaking to media persons, Ramalinga Reddy said, “The first batch of Dasara jumbos has entered the Mysore Palace successfully. The training for Jumboo Savari procession will be given in different stages and after analysing their performance we will decide on the Howdah Elephant,” he said. The Minister also mentioned that the department had made necessary arrangements for the elephants including the food and had also ensured basic facilities to the mahouts and their family members at the Mysore Palace camp.

“The elephants will be taken for the weight check after a couple of days,” he added.

Abhimanyu doubtful

When asked about previous Howdah carrier Abhimanyu’s participation in this year’s Dasara, Reddy said that the elephant had been retired following directions of the Supreme Court (SC) which mandates for retiring the elephants on turning 60. “We have honoured Abhimanyu for his services with a grand farewell. With the Court’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed, the elephant has not been brought to Mysuru,” he said and also added that Abhimanyu will not be assigned any work including capturing rogue elephants.

On utilising services of Abhimanyu as ‘Nishane Aane’ like Balarama and Arjuna post retirement, Reddy assured to hold talks with PCCF (Wildlife) Kumar Pushkar in this regard.

Govt. yet to decide on chief guest

Later, speaking to the media persons District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah said “Discussions to finalise the chief guest will be held at Government level in the presence of the Chief Minister,” he added.

MLAs K. Harishgowda and T.S. Srivatsa, MLC C.N. Manjegowda,  DC G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, PCCF Meenakshi Negi, CCF S.S. Ravishankar, CF(Planning) S. Prabhakaran, DCFs I.B. Prabhu Gowda and Kirubanandan, Mysuru SP Mallikarjun Baladandi, ZP CEO S. Ukesh Kumar, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha,  Additional DC R. Aishwarya, Sri Chamundeshwari Development Authority Secretary Roopa, Zoo Executive Director P. Anusha, Veterinarian Dr. Adarsh and RFO Yashma  Machamma were present.