Karnataka foresters will select the elephant that will carry the golden howdah during the Mysuru Dasara procession later this week, after assessing the animals’ walking pace, training progress and response to their mahouts’ commands. The selection will be made three days before the procession, according to SS Ravishankar, conservator of forests for the Mysuru circle.
Prashantha, Sugreeva and Dhananjaya are among the leading contenders for the role, while Ekalavya is also being considered. Ekalavya is the youngest of the four elephants identified for the final selection. The decision will determine which tusker leads the ceremonial procession carrying the golden howdah during the Dasara celebrations.
Ravishankar said the forest department and the elephant contingent were fully prepared for the smooth conduct of the procession. The selection process is based on the animals’ preparedness for the specific demands of the event, including their ability to maintain the required pace and follow commands from their mahouts.
Preparations also included the third phase of the 21-gun salute rehearsal, which was conducted at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds. The exercise was designed to familiarise the elephants and mounted police horses with the sound of cannon fire before the procession scheduled for October 21.
Eleven Dasara elephants, 43 horses from the Mounted Police squad and 35 City Armed Reserve personnel took part in Monday’s drill. The animals remained calm during the firing exercise, which involved seven cannon carriages. Each carriage fired three rounds, taking the total number of rounds to 21.
Elephants Srikanta and Ekalavya did not participate in the rehearsal because they were taking part in the royal family’s private Dasara celebrations. The remaining contingent and the mounted police horses completed the exercise without being unsettled by the explosions.
The rehearsal was conducted under the supervision of deputy conservator of forests (wildlife) I G Prabhugouda and City Armed Reserve deputy commissioner of police Siddanagowda Y Patil. The exercise is part of the administrative and operational preparation for a procession that combines forest department personnel, trained elephants, mounted police and security units.
The final howdah elephant selection is expected three days before the October 21 procession. Until then, the shortlisted elephants will continue to be assessed on their training progress, pace and coordination with their mahouts.
