The first batch of eight elephants, led by Arjuna, was accorded a traditional reception at Mysuru Palace on Thursday.
The elephants arrived from Aloka campus on the outskirts of the city and initially received at the Aranya Bhavan. The elephants - Arjuna, Balarama, Abhimanyu, Gajendra, Bhima, Kaveri, Varalakshmi and Vijaya - will camp in the palace courtyard till the conclusion of the festivities.
The caparisoned elephants then hit the main road and walked with aplomb towards the palace, where a grand reception awaited them. They were received by Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa and officials of the district administration.
The police offered a guard of honour to the caparisoned elephants at the Jayamartanda Gate after which they were ushered into the palace precincts with an ensemble of musicians playing traditional music. A dash of colour and vibrancy was infused by the folk artistes with their performance.
On reaching the main portico, flowers and petals were showered on the elephants who raised their trunks as if to acknowledge the reception and moved on to the open court yard where they will camp till the conclusion of Dasara celebrations.
The elephants are accompanied by their respective mahouts, assistants and family members all of whom will be provided accommodation. A temporary school will be established to enable the children of the mahouts to continue their studies. The mahouts, who were guiding the elephants, were also accorded due honours and presented with a kit containing dress and other materials for their stay in Mysuru.
In due course, the second batch of seven elephants will join them and the stay is to enable the elephants to familiarise themselves with the environment besides rehearsing for the procession slated for September 21.