MYSURU: The first batch of Dasara elephants, led by howdah elephant Abhimanyu, which arrived in the city last week, were given a ceremonial reception at the Mysuru palace on Monday. The elephants were later weighed in to check their weight.
#WATCH | Mysuru, Karnataka: The 9 elephants that will be participating in the Dasara festival were traditionally welcomed at Mysuru Palace after performing pujas.
Hundreds of people gathered along the route to see the fully decorated Dasara elephants and offered prayers. pic.twitter.com/gvGmBXkumL
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025
After their arrival last week, the nine elephants were housed at the Aranya Bhavan till they were brought to the palace. In the run-up to the famous Dasara procession, the elephants will be put on a special diet. They will also be taken along the Dasara procession route till Bannimantap twice a day.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Prabhu Gowda told mediapersons, “The first batch of elephants were weighed today and all are healthy. We don’t have to worry about increasing their weight. When we sent the elephants back last year after the Dasara procession, they weighed around the same. Based on their weight, their diet plan will be drawn up and daily exercises will begin from Tuesday”.
After they were weighed in at a weigh bridge on Dhanvanthri Road, Abhimanyu tipped the scales at 5,360 kg, Dhananjaya at 5,310 kg, Cauvery 3,010 kg, Lakshmi 3,730 kg, Bheema 5,465 kg, Ekalavya 5,305 kg, Mahendra 5,120 kg, Kanjan 4,880 kg and Prashant 5,110 kg.
