Elephant Weigh-In for Mysuru Dasara: Find Out Who Leads the Pack!
Mysuru: As part of the tradition during the Mysuru Dasara festival, the elephants participating in the Jamboo Savari (elephant procession) undergo a customary weighing upon their arrival at the palace. This protocol ensures that the health and strength of these majestic animals are carefully monitored.
The first batch of nine elephants, already in Mysuru, had their weights checked and recorded. Forest Officer Dr. Prabhugowda provided an update on the elephants’ condition, revealing that the team leader, Abhimanyu, weighs 5,560 kilograms. Dhananjaya follows closely at 5,150 kg, while Varalakshmi weighs 3,495 kg, Ekalavya 4,730 kg, Rohit 3,640 kg, and Lakshmi 2,480 kg. According to Dr. Prabhugowda, monitoring their weight is crucial to understanding each elephant’s capacity and strength, and their feeding regimen is tailored based on this data.
On the morning of the weigh-in, following a small pooja, the elephants began their journey from the North gate of Mysuru Palace around 8 am, heading toward the weighing bridge in Devaraj Mohalla in Mysuru. A magnetic metal detector attached to the escort vehicle led the way, scanning the path for any nails or metals that could harm the elephants’ feet. The procession was closely guarded by police and traffic officers, who ensured both the elephants’ safety and a clear path for their passage.
As they marched along the 3 km stretch to the weighing bridge, the elephants were greeted with enthusiastic cheers from onlookers who gathered to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants.
