Daijiworld Media Network - Mysore (SB)
Mysore, Sep 12: This Dasara might turn out to be the last one for Balarama, who has been carrying the howdah from past 12 years.
It is learnt that the officials are pondering over inducting Arjuna, a 40-year-old pachyderm. Arjuna too has been a participant in Dasra for 15 years. Though the decision is yet to be announced, Arjuna is being provided the requisite training to carry the howdah and walk amid the crowd. Though there are concerns of the pachyderm being short-tempered earlier, it is allayed by an official who states that Arjuna has softened with years.
It can be recalled here that doubts were raised about Balarama’s ability to carry the 750 kg golden howdah, along with embellishments and the gaddi, all of which amounts to over one tonne in weight and suggestions were made to llok out for replacement way back in 2008.