First batch of elephants arrive in Mysuru for Dasara celebrations

MYSURU: Preparations for the Dasara festivities have got under way with a batch of elephants, which will take part in the Jamboo Savari, participating in the Gajapayana on Wednesday.

The batch of elephants is led by Abhimanyu, who will carry the golden howdah on the Dasara procession day. The Gajapayana was started today after ministers H C Mahadevappa, K Venkatesh, Eshwar Khandre and other elected representatives welcomed them by showering flower petals and performing puja in the auspicious time between 10.20 am 10.45 am at the Veeranahosalli forest camp of Nagarhole reserve forest in HD Kote taluk.

The first batch includes Bhima, Gopi, Dhananjaya, Kanjan, Rohit, Lakshmi, Varalakshmi and Ekalavya. They reached Mysuru on Wednesday and will stay at the Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram for two days. On Friday, after arrangements for the elephants, mahouts and kavadis are made on the Mysuru Palace premises, the elephants will be moved there. The second batch will include five elephants.

Colourful presentations of Veeragase, Dollu Kunitha, Pooja Kunitha, Pata Kunitha to the accompaniment of music marked the Gajapayana. Abhimanyu led the elephants while the others followed much to the joy of those assembled.