Mysuru: The first batch of nine Mysuru Dasara elephants received a grand traditional welcome near Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysuru Palace Friday.Jumbos Dhananjaya, Mahendra, Ekalavya, Prashantha, Gopi, Srirama, Sugreeva, Lakshmi and Kaveri, were accorded a traditional Poornakumbha welcome by district in-charge minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah and forest minister Ramalinga Reddy.The elephants were later taken inside the palace premises amid traditional music, cultural performances and a police band. The elephants had arrived at Aranya Bhavan in Mysuru from Veeranahosahalli on Aug 26 and walked to Mysuru Palace Friday for their regular practice sessions.Reddy said the tusker that will carry the Golden Howdah during the Dasara procession would be selected only after completion of the training and practice sessions.Forest department would assess the elephants’ health, physical fitness, behaviour and performance before making the final decision, he told reporters.He said the department was also following the rules and court directions regarding the use of elephants, including those aged over 60 years. The department had extended respect to Abhimanyu. The contributions of Dasara elephants Arjuna and Balarama, which served Dasara for several years, would always be remembered, he said.Meanwhile, elephant Srirama briefly became agitated after entering the palace premises amid heavy noise and commotion. However, alert mahouts and kavadis brought the elephant under control.All the Dasara elephants are scheduled to undergo weight tests Sunday.Meanwhile, the arrival of the elephants attracted a large crowd. Traditional art troupes and the police band added colour to the event, turning the ceremonial reception into a vibrant start to the city’s Dasara preparations.
