Mysuru Dasara’s elephant parade preparations moved forward on Friday after the second training session for ceremonial cannon fire was completed without major problems at the vehicle parking area of the city exhibition grounds.
The exercise began at 9am and was conducted to prepare the elephant and horse contingents for the loud cannon blasts traditionally associated with the Jamboo Savari procession. Elephants Srikanta and Srirama, which had shown apprehension during the first rehearsal, remained calm during the second session. Mahendra, which had earlier hesitated to carry the wooden howdah, also participated without difficulty.
A 35-member cannon unit from the City Armed Reserve, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Siddanagowda Patil, fired 21 rounds from seven cannons. Each cannon was fired three times. The procedure involved loading the cannon, using phosphorus powder to ignite the charge and then extinguishing the remaining sparks and gunpowder fragments with a wet coconut-fibre swab after each firing.
The rehearsal was preceded by firecracker tests near the elephants because a sudden, heavy sound could cause anxiety among both the elephant and horse contingents. Srirama turned back when one of the firecrackers was set off, but the animals were gradually exposed to the noise before the cannon exercise began. The mounted personnel also had to calm horses that became frightened during the firing.
The exercise was attended by Deputy Conservator of Forests I.B. Prabhugowda, Range Forest Officer Yashma Machamma and veterinary officer Adarsh. The presence of forest and veterinary personnel reflects the operational arrangements required when trained animals are exposed to repeated loud sounds and ceremonial duties in a busy urban setting.
With 13 days remaining before the Jamboo Savari, preparations for the elephant and horse contingents are being accelerated. The forest department said the elephants were in good health and would be assigned duties according to their strength and suitability.
“Among Dhananjaya, Prashantha, Sugriva and Ekalavya, the elephant that will carry the howdah will be decided,” Prabhugowda said. He added that the elephant to be sent for the Srirangapatna Dasara celebrations would be announced within two days.
The next decisions will determine the final ceremonial roles for the elephants and the deployment of the contingent for the remaining Dasara programmes.
