All Mysuru Dasara elephants have returned to their respective forest camps in good health after completing the festival procession and torchlight parade, according to the forest department. The animals were given a traditional farewell before leaving the city, following nearly two months of training and festival duties.
Deputy conservator of forests (wildlife) IG Prabhu Gouda said the elephants’ weights and health conditions were examined on the morning of their departure and that all were found to be healthy and fit. He said the animals had remained calm during the Vijayadashami procession and credited mahouts, kavadis, forest rangers, veterinary doctors and other staff with ensuring the event proceeded safely.
The elephants underwent intensive preparation to familiarise them with roads, crowds, loud sounds and the demanding conditions associated with the procession. The forest department also introduced precautionary measures intended to protect the elephants, their handlers and spectators. Some training exercises were modified and safety arrangements strengthened in response to growing crowds and changing conditions during the festival.
The operation required coordination between the forest department and the teams responsible for handling and caring for the elephants. Officials said the animals attended morning and evening training sessions during their stay in Mysuru. The training was designed to prepare them for the movement, noise and public presence involved in one of the city’s largest annual events.
Gouda said the elephants’ return to the forest was important because it placed them back in their natural habitat, even as staff felt an emotional attachment after spending almost two months with them in Mysuru. The department’s account highlights the logistical demands of staging a large public procession involving animals, handlers, veterinary personnel and thousands of spectators in an urban setting.
Chief conservator of forests for the Mysuru Circle SS Ravishankar said Prashantha had successfully carried the Golden Howdah for the first time this year. The 54-year-old elephant has participated in Mysuru Dasara for 18 years and had undergone special training for the role over the past three years.
Ravishankar said Prashantha’s performance had demonstrated his ability to take on the responsibility of leading the elephant contingent in the coming years. Chinnappa, Prashantha’s mahout for the past 18 years, described the Golden Howdah debut as a proud and unforgettable experience and said the elephant responded well to familiar handlers and instructions.
According to the report, Chinnappa has four years of service remaining, while Prashantha has six years of service. The forest department’s next immediate step is complete, with the elephants back at their designated forest camps after the conclusion of their Mysuru Dasara duties.
