Mysuru: Though it was just another Dasara for 57-year-old howdah elephant Arjuna and 59-year-old Balarama which also carried the golden howdah for 14 years, it was not the same for new entrants 17-year-old Bheema, 35-year-old Drona and 56-year-old Krishna who made their debut during this season. The threesome who all come from Mathikodi forest of Nagarhole range took part in procession without any hassle impressing not only their mahouts and kavadis but also forest officials and the veterinary doctor.
Though most of the new elephants which take part in the Dasara related activities initially used to take time to get adjusted, especially when the cannon shots were fired that scared them, the three new elephants who were part of the procession didn’t show any problem at all which was confirmed by the DCF and senior veterinary doctor Nagaraj. Even during the procession with hundreds of people shouting on the either side, these three elephants were calm and composed throughout the 5 km stretch procession.
Among 15 elephants which took part in the procession this year, Bheema is the youngest and Gajendra which is 62-year-old from K Gudi Camp is oldest elephant while Arjuna which carried the golden howdah for the seventh year is 57-year-old. All the three entrants followed the veteran Balarama, who led the procession as “Nishan” elephant to help people know that the procession had started. Gajendra is Naupat elephant. Balarama was in front and was followed by Gajendra, Abhimanyu, Bheema, Varalakshmi, Harsha, Krishna, Drona, Prashantha, Gopalswamy, Gopi and Vikrama. The 39-year-old Cauvery was towards Arjuna’s right and 60-year-old Vijaya to his left.
Veterinarian Nagaraj said, “All the three new elephants didn’t show any nervousness. During cannon firing, all the three behaved well and weren’t scare at all. Really, all the three are handsome elephants.” V Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife, Mysuru) also mentioned that the new elephants’ behaviour was very impressive and they didn’t show any nervousness in the camp.
