Mysuru: He has been at the head of the
Mysuru Dasara procession for six times in a row, and on Wednesday, Arjuna showed no signs of age or rustiness, as he carried on his back a wooden replica of the
golden howdah or the
ambari that is carried during the finale of the celebrations, without a hitch during a rehearsal. Arjuna, followed by the other elephants including veteran Balarama, who will participate in the procession, walked the 5km-stretch between Mysuru Palace and Bannimantap Grounds that constitutes the ‘Rajamarga’ or procession route with élan. He carried on his shoulders a weight of 650kg – a wooden howdah (250kg), sand bags (300kg) and a ‘gaadi’ (150kg).
As many as 12 mahouts and kavadis, including
Dasara veteran Akram Pasha spent nearly an hour strapping, and then knotting the wooden howdah, sand bags and ‘gaadi’ on to Arjuna’s back. The rehearsal was carried out in the presence of senior forest officials such as deputy conservator of forests (wildlife) Siddaramappa and veterinarian Dr Nagaraj. Arjuna showed no signs of agony or trouble, as he strolled the streets of the city on Wednesday, much to the delight of the citizens, who were pleased to see a familiar figure back in their midst. With each passing day, sand bags weighing 60kg will be added to the load, till it reaches 800kg.
Besides Arjuna, Drona, Dhanjaya and Gajendra will carry loads in the run-up to the procession. The elephants will be put on a special diet to increase their weight considerably. The jumbos are likely to be rested for around three to four days before the procession.
Dr Nagaraj, who has supervised the health of the Dasara elephants for nearly two decades, told TOI, “Arjuna is a majestic and mighty elephant. He walked the 5km-stretch carrying the 650kg-load on his back with ease. He covered the distance in about 90 minutes, and looked fine at the end of the walk.”
Arjuna was subsequently bathed, and given a hot water massage to relive his strain. Drona or Dhananjaya will carry the same load on Thursday.
Perhaps the only glitch on Wednesday’s otherwise perfect rehearsal were the branches that were dangling loosely from treetops along the procession route. The wooden howdah was often struck by these branches, particularly near Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute, and the Deaf and Dumb School. The authorities concerned need to ensure that these branches are pruned at the earliest lest they pose problems during the Vijayadashami procession.
