Mysuru: As part of a trial well before Vijayadashami day, elephant Arjuna without any hassle managed to carry 730 kg weight which included 280 kg wooden howdah, 300 kg sand bags and 150 kg Gadi here on September 18. The practice was held to acquaint Arjuna with the carrying of 750 kg golden howdah on Vijayadashami.
Nearly 15 Mahouts and Kavadis including Akram Pasha, who is not only an expert in taking care of elephants but also tying the knots on them for carrying various weights including 750 kg golden throne in the presence of V Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife, Mysuru) and Rajeshwari, RFO took nearly one and half hour to tie the wooden howdah on Arjuna’s back. During the course, right from tying the ropes to completing 5-km rehearsal on procession route from Mysuru Palace to Torch Light Parade Ground in Bannimantap, Arjuna didn’t show any pain and completed the rehearsal by carrying 730 kg weight with his head held high. Gradually, the sand bags each weighing more than 60 kgs will be increased to stretch the overall weight to more than 800 kgs.
Not only 57-year old Arjuna will undergo weight training but also the other three elephants 59-year-Balarama, 51-year-old Abhimanyu and senior most 61-year-old Gajendra which are equally fit enough to carry the weights will undergo training in days to come. After carrying the wooden howdah, each elephant will be getting three to four days rest.
Veterinarian Nagaraj who is taking care of Dasara elephants since more than a decade said, “On day one, Arjuna which is also called majestic and mighty elephant, with ease carried nearly 730 kg for 5 km from Mysuru Palace to Torch Light Parade Ground in Bannimantap. Later in the evening, to help it overcome the strain and provide relief from pain if any, we gave the elephant hot water massage on its chest area. Apart from this, as a precautionary measure, pain removal ointment was also applied. After carrying 730 kg, Arjuna looks fine.” During the exercise, Arjuna was followed by two Kumki elephants Varalakshmi and Cauvery.
Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife, Mysuru) who led the rehearsal,“The staff members including Mahouts and Kavadis took more than an hour to tie the ropes to carry wooden howdah. On Wednesday, the same will be tried on elephant Balarama and later on Gajendra and Abhimanyu.”
Akram Pasha hogs the limelight:
Akram Pasha, for the 18th time along with his staff members, successfully managed to tie ropes for carrying wooden howdah. The 46-year-old Akram Pasha who came to the profession after seeing his father and grandfather looking after the elephants plays an important role in the upkeep of Dasara elephants. In his 25 years of looking after elephants, he is involved in capturing more than 125 wild elephants including tranquillising nearly 45 of them. Apart from this, he is also involved in tranquillising leopards and tigers.
“Since my childhood I was brought up seeing elephants. Elephant is everything for me. It gives me immense pleasure to work with elephants. I am even ready to work with elephants 24 hours a day”, added Akram Pasha who was trained in the art of tranquillising and capturing animals by veterinary doctors Dr. Chettiappa and Dr. Nagaraj.
