Mysuru: As part of preparations for this year’s 11-day Dasara festivities at the Mysore Palace, the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family has finalised the ceremonial elephants that will take part in the Palace rituals.

Last evening, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar personally inspected the nine elephants of the first batch housed at the Palace premises, seven males and two females. The elephants were brought through the Aane Bagilu and assembled at the Savari Thotti for the inspection.

She offered sugarcane, jaggery and fruits to the elephants before examining each of them.

Following the inspection, she announced that, as in the previous year, Srikanta would serve as the Pattada Aane (royal elephant), while Ekalavya would be the Pattada Nishane Aane (elephant carrying the royal insignia).

Both elephants will participate in the private durbar of the royal family and other religious ceremonies at the Palace from Oct. 11 to 21.

Adyaveer Narasimharaja Wadiyar, son of Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Dr. I.B. Prabhu Gowda, RFO Yashma Machamma, veterinarian Dr. Adarsh and other officials were present.