Daijiworld Media Network – Mysuru
Mysuru, Oct 15: The suspense over the elephant chosen to carry the iconic golden howdah during this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations has ended, with 54-year-old Prashanth from the Dubare elephant camp selected for the prestigious responsibility in the grand Jamboo Savari procession on October 21.
District in-charge minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah officially announced Prashanth’s name at a press conference held at the Mysuru Palace Board office on Wednesday.
The grand Jamboo Savari procession, one of the principal attractions of the state’s renowned Dasara festivities, will be held on Vijayadashami, October 21.
Prashanth’s selection comes after Abhimanyu, who carried the Golden Howdah for the past six years, was relieved of the responsibility due to his age. However, Abhimanyu will continue to participate in the procession as the Nishane elephant.
The selection had generated considerable interest, with Prashanth, Dhananjaya, Sugreeva, Mahendra and Ekalavya among the contenders for the coveted role.
Mahendra was dropped from the race after failing on two occasions to reach Bannimantap while carrying the wooden howdah.
Three decades with the forest department
Prashanth was captured in 1993 in the Kerekoppa forest range of Shivamogga district and subsequently trained at the Dubare elephant camp in Kodagu. He has been associated with the Forest Department for around three decades and has participated in the Mysuru Dasara procession for the past 18 years.
During his initial years at the festival, Prashanth participated as one of the line elephants before subsequently serving as the Naufat elephant. His selection to carry the Golden Howdah marks a significant milestone in his long association with the annual celebrations.
The 54-year-old elephant stands 2.61 metres tall, measures 3.46 metres in length and weighs approximately 5,100 kg. His calm and composed temperament is considered particularly suitable for the demanding responsibility of carrying the Golden Howdah during the grand procession.
Mahouts Chinnappa and Kavadi Chandru are currently entrusted with looking after Prashanth.
Roles of other elephants finalised
Alongside Prashanth’s selection, the forest department has finalised the roles of the other elephants participating in the Vijayadashami procession.
Dhananjaya has been selected as the reserve golden howdah elephant, while Abhimanyu will serve as the Nishane elephant. Gopi will participate as the Naufat elephant, and Kaveri and Roopa have been selected as the Kumki elephants. The remaining elephants will take part as line elephants.
Minister Basavanthappa, deputy commissioner Lakshmikanth Reddy, Forest department chief conservator of forests Ravishankar, deputy conservator of forests I B Prabhugowda and range forest officer Yasma Machamma were present during the announcement.
With the golden howdah elephant officially named, preparations are gathering momentum for the grand Jamboo Savari, which draws thousands of devotees and visitors to Mysuru every year and remains the centrepiece of the city’s celebrated Dasara festivities.