Dasara Jumboo Savari…

Hundreds gather on procession route to see Dasara elephants and their majestic walk

Mysuru: The first batch of Dasara elephants, which have been camping at the Mysore Palace, took part in the first Jumboo Savari route familiarisation march yesterday evening.

Hundreds of visitors and Mysureans had gathered near the Palace North Gate (Balarama Gate) and throughout the procession route to have a glimpse of elephants. People also recorded the visuals of the elephant’s walk on the procession route.

The elephants, which arrived at the Mysore Palace Aug. 28, were being housed at camp for two days. They walked out of the Palace yesterday morning for the weight check and later for the procession route familiarisation in the evening.

The first batch of nine elephants, led by Mahendra, passed through Balarama Gate, Chamaraja Circle, K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road, Dhanvantri Road and return back to the Palace on the same route.  As the jumbos passed through the procession route, people were seen showering flower petals and offering fruits.

Similar visuals were seen during the evening rehearsal held at 5.30 pm yesterday. Large number of people had gathered in front of the Balarama Gate to watch the elephants. As the elephants came out, people cheered and whistled in joy.

In the evening, the jumbos, led by Dhananjaya, walked till the Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, before returning back to the Palace.

The Forest Department, like every year, has fixed an automated magnetic nail removal machine to a vehicle that moves ahead of the elephants to remove metal pieces on the procession route.  The machine picks up only iron nails and other sharp objects while small stones glass pieces and other sharp items have to be seen by trained eyes and picked up by hand.

The Police team also walked along the procession route to ensure no person got close the elephants.