Mysuru: Karnataka foresters will select the Dasara tusker that will carry the golden howdah during the Dasara procession later this week. Conservator of forests (Mysuru circle) SS Ravishankar on Monday said the jumbo will be selected three days before the procession. Prashantha, Sugreeva and Dhananjaya are among the frontrunners, while Ekalavya is also being considered. Of the four contenders, Ekalavya is the youngest.The selection would be based on the elephants’ walking pace, training progress and ability to understand and respond to their mahouts’ commands. He added that the forest department and the elephant contingent were fully prepared for the smooth and successful conduct of the procession.Meanwhile, the third phase of the 21-gun salute rehearsal for Mysuru Dasara was conducted successfully at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds on Monday, with the Dasara elephant contingent and mounted police horses remaining calm despite the loud explosions. The rehearsal is organised to familiarise elephants and horses with the sound of cannon fire during the Dasara procession on Oct 21.A total of 11 Dasara elephants, 43 horses from the Mounted Police squad and 35 City Armed Reserve (CAR) personnel participated in Monday’s drill. Elephants Srikanta and Ekalavya were absent as they were taking part in the royal family’s private Dasara celebrations. During the exercise, CAR personnel deployed seven cannon carriages and fired 21 rounds, with each carriage firing three rounds. The elephants and horses displayed composure and remained unperturbed by the loud blasts, marking the successful completion of the rehearsal. The exercise was conducted under the supervision of DCF (wildlife) I G Prabhugouda and CAR DCP Siddanagowda Y Patil.
