Dasara elephants arrive at Mysuru Palace

Six Dasara elephants, which arrived in the city on September 2, were extended a warm and traditional welcome at Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysuru Palace on Wednesday.

The jumbos - Varalakshmi, Gopi, Vikrama, Dhananjaya and Chaitra - led by howdah elephant Arjuna, reached Palace and another batch of six will join them soon. The jumbos were given a guard of honour.

These jumbos were housed at Aranya Bhavan in the city before their arrival at the Palace. The Dasara celebrations will commence on October 10 and conclude on October 19.

Jamboo Savari

During their stay in Mysuru, the elephants will participate in a few festivities and rituals related to Dasara, including the grand finale, Jamboo Savari.

Incharge chief conservator of forests T Venkatesan said that the training sessions for the elephants for Jamboo Savari will commence soon.

Forest department officials and veterinarians conducted a check-up of elephants and certified that they were healthy and fit for participation in the celebrations.

Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda, MLAs S A Ramdas and L Nagendra were present.