MYSURU: Ahead of the grand Dasara celebrations, which will be held early next month, the preparations got under way on Monday with the first batch of nine elephants, led by howdah elephant Abhimanyu, reaching Mysuru. They will be received at the Mysuru palace on August 7.
The elephants were given a warm sendoff at the Veeranahosalli elephant camp in HD Kote taluk and were received with fanfare in Mysuru. Abhimanyu will be tasked with carrying the 750 kg golden howdah all along the Dasara procession route on Vijayadashami day.
The female elephants were put through health checks and blood tests were also conducted. Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre, Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkates and other elected representatives were present at the start of the Gajapayana.
The first batch of elephants which arrived in Mysuru include Abhimanyu (59), Prashanth (53), Bheema (25), Mahendra (42), Dhananjaya (45), Kanjan (26), Ekalavya (40), Kaveri (45) and Lakshmi (45). They will go through practice sessions and will be put on a special diet.