Mysuru: Arjuna, the howdah elephant weighs highest among the six elephants. Arjuna topped the list with 5250 kg while 60-year-old Vijaya weighs the lowest with 2770 kg.
As part of the routine procedure, the jumbos were weighed on August 18 before they were put to regular exercise. The 57-year-old Arjuna from Balle camp, weighs 5,250 kg, while 59-year-old Balarama from Thithimathi camp who carried golden howdah for 13 consecutive times, weighs 4,990 kg. Abhimanyu from Thithimathi camp who is aged 51 years weighs 4,870 kg, Gajendra (62) from K Gudi camp is 4,600 kg, Kaveri (39) from Dubare camp 2820 kg and Vijaya (61) is the last at 2770 kg. The 17-year-old Bheema who is making his début weighs 3410 kg.
Veterinarian Dr. Nagraj who is looking after Dasara elephants for the past many years said that special food supplements would be supplied to the elephants to prepare them for “Jamboo Savari” on Vijaydashami Day. The first batch of eight elephants began their first brief morning walk to get acclimatised to the crowd and the route. Special food includes fodder, jaggery, sugarcane, green grass and coconuts and other nutritious foods.
