Mysuru: Prashantha carried the Golden Howdah bearing the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari for the first time, completing the Jumboo Savari task and living up to the confidence reposed in him.

After the procession, Prashantha returned to the Mysore Palace in a convoy of trucks along with the other elephants. As the truck carrying him made its way back, Prashantha enthusiastically raised his trunk in response to people gathered along the route, delighting spectators.

His mahout, A.J. Chinnappa, expressed happiness over Prashantha’s successful performance.

“His feat makes me extremely happy. He has been participating in the Dasara procession for the last 18 to 20 years. Goddess Chamundeshwari is the ‘Jaganmaathe’ and with her idol right behind me, I never felt anxious. Prashantha, too, did not cause any difficulty when the Golden Howdah was being fastened on him,” Chinnappa said.