Mysuru, Sept. 7 (MTY&BS)- To acclimatise the Dasara elephants with weight training ahead of the Jumboo Savari procession, Dasara elephant Mahendra successfully carried the Gaadi-Namda and a cradle loaded with sandbags, completing the exercise with ease.

The Dasara festivities will begin on Sept. 22 and conclude with the grand Jumboo Savari on Oct. 2.

Along with the traditional Howdah-carrying elephant Abhimanyu, two other elephants — Mahendra and Prashanth — have been shortlisted as standbys to take on the prestigious and demanding task, should there be any last-minute changes.

All three elephants — Abhimanyu, Mahendra and Prashanth — will be familiarised with the weights on alternate days until Oct. 1, when one of them will be formally selected to carry the Golden Howdah during the procession on D-Day.

As per tradition, the Gaadi- Namda and cradle, weighing 200 kg, were fastened along with 300 kg of sandbags, making up a total of 500 kg. This load was carefully placed on Mahendra’s back near the Kodi Someshwara Temple premises within the Mysuru Palace.

Mahendra was then taken for a training walk at 7.30 am, accompanied by female elephants Lakshmi and Hemavathi, who served as Kumki elephants (support elephants). The team successfully covered the five-kilometre stretch to the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap in one hour and thirty minutes, showcasing Mahendra’s strength and readiness for the task.

Upon reaching Bannimantap, the weights were carefully unloaded using a crane. The elephants were given water and allowed to rest before being gently guided back towards the Palace at 10 am.

The training exercise was supervised by DCF Dr. I.B. Prabhu Gowda, RFO Nadeem, Veterinarian Dr. Adarsh and assistants Rangaraju and Akram, along with other forest staff.