After 2-month stay in city, Dasara elephants head back to their forest camps; No honorarium this time, crucial role overlooked, say caretakers

Caption: Over 2,000 onlookers had gathered at the Mysore Palace premises this afternoon as the elephants left to their camps.

Mysuru, Oct. 5 (MTY&BCT)- The stars of Dasara — 14 elephants — began their journey back to their respective forest camps this afternoon, bidding an emotional farewell to Mysuru after yet another successful Jumboo Savari. Many onlookers were moved as the majestic animals were loaded onto the trucks at the Mysore Palace premises.

Earlier in the morning, priest S.V. Prahalad Rao led the puja rituals, offering fruits to Howdah elephant Abhimanyu and the other 13 elephants.

The ceremonial ‘paada puja’ was performed, followed by the traditional offering of “Panchaphala” (five fruits) to each elephant. Members of the public also presented sugarcane, jaggery and fruits before the elephants were mounted onto the trucks.

Before the pujas, all 14 elephants were lined up between Kodi Someshwara Temple and Kodi Kalabhyraveshwara Temple.

After residing at the Mysore Palace premises for the past 50 days, the elephants, along with their mahouts and the families of the caretakers (kavadis), returned to their native habitats.

No honorarium this year

Traditionally, the District Administration and the Mysore Palace Board conduct a puja and offer honorariums to the mahouts and kavadis in recognition of their efforts. This year, however, only rice bags were distributed, leaving the caretakers disappointed. Previously, the honorarium included Rs. 10,000, rice and essential daily items.

“We started from our respective elephant camps 60 days ago and have been denied annual honorariums. We worked tirelessly for the success of Dasara, training and caring for the elephants, yet did not receive even a single rupee from the district and Forest authorities. This is a grave injustice, and our contributions have been overlooked,” said an angry caretaker before leaving Mysuru.

Refusal to leave Mysuru

Many elephant caretakers said they would not leave Mysuru unless their honorariums were paid. According to Forest Officers, over 60 mahouts and kavadis had come to the city, but the Mysore Palace Board stated that cheques would be issued for only 20 of them—a proposal the Forest Department refused as the caretakers were demanding a cash payment. As the mahouts and kavadis prepared to protest against the District Administration and the Palace Board, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Dr. I.B. Prabhugowda intervened.

He assured them that honorariums for all mahouts, kavadis and helpers would be distributed at their respective elephant camps. Following this assurance, the elephant caretakers finally boarded the trucks to return to their camps.

Over 2,000 people had gathered to bid farewell to the jumbos. Being a Sunday, thousands of visitors had come to see the Mysore Palace, with many stopping to watch the elephants being loaded onto trucks.

Tourists and locals alike clicked selfies and photos to capture the memorable moments. Abhimanyu, the howdah carrier, was the star attraction and his mahout and kavadi were felicitated by some people. Palace Board Dy. Director T.S. Subramanya, DCP K.S. Sundar Raj, Palace Security Force ACP H.M. Chandrashekar, RFO Nadeem and others were present to witness the farewell.