Arjuna heaviest among Dasara jumbos this year too

Arjuna is the heaviest among Dasara elephants this year too. The first batch of six jumbos were on Thursday weighed at the Mysuru Palace, where they are staying after their arrival on Wednesday.

Arjuna, the howdah elephant, has gained 400 kg compared to last year. He weighs 5,650 kg. Chaitra, weighing 2,920 kg, is the lightest of them. Arjuna has gained 400 kg, compared to last year. Arjuna was 5,250 on his arrival in Mysuru to participate in Dasara-2017. Then, the elephant had suffered a huge weight loss. The elephants were weighed at Sai Ram Weigh Bridge on Dhanwantri Road. Weighing the elephants after their arrival is a routine procedure as the jumbos will undergo training for Jamboo Savaari.

While Varalakshmi weighs 3,120, Gopi and Vikrama weigh 4,435 kg and 3,985 kg, respectively. First-time participant Dhananjaya weighs 4,045 kg.

According to veterinarian Dr Nagaraj, all the elephants are healthy and they will be served protein-rich food to improve their physical fitness. Each elephant will gain approximately between 800-900 kg before the Jamboo Savaari. The elephants will be fed urad dal, green gram, wheat, boiled rice, onion, vegetables, rice, groundnut, coconut, jaggery and sugarcane during the rehearsal.

In 2017, all the 15 elephants had gained weight after they arrived in Mysuru to take part in Dasara.

The rehearsal for Dasara elephants commenced on Thursday evening. The second batch of elephants will join the first batch soon. All the elephants will be trained and given balanced diet to maintain their physical fitness.