Sugreeva emerges heaviest among Dasara elephants
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Dasara elephants at K.R. Circle in Mysuru during their routine march on the procession route as part of preparations for the grand Jamboo Savari of this year’s Dasara. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram
At 5,850 kg, Sugreeva, a tusker from the Dubare elephant camp, has emerged the heaviest among the 12 Dasara elephants currently stationed at the Mysuru palace.
The second batch of three Dasara elephants, which arrived in Mysuru on Sunday (September 13), underwent weight checking on Tuesday (September 15) morning as part of the Forest Department’s routine health and fitness assessment ahead of the festivities.
Chaira from the Ramapura camp and Roopa from the Doddaharave camp weighed 3,295 kg and 3,260 kg, respectively.
The three elephants underwent the weight check during their routine rehearsal on Tuesday morning along with nine elephants of the first batch. Following the exercise, all 12 elephants took part in the morning march along the designated procession route.
Sugreeva’s weight is higher than that of Srikanta, who had earlier emerged as the heaviest among the first batch of elephants with a weight of 5,790 kg.
The weights of the nine elephants in the first batch were checked at a weighbridge on August 30. The exercise is undertaken to monitor their health and fitness and ensure that they gain adequate weight ahead of their participation in the Jamboo Savari.
After Srikanta, Ekalavya was the second heaviest at 5,600 kg, followed by Dhananjaya at 5,530 kg. Other elephants weighing more than 5,000 kg are Mahendra (5,490 kg), Prashantha (5,205 kg) and Gopi (5,170 kg). Srirama weighs 4,820 kg, while Lakshmi and Kaveri weigh 3,990 kg and 3,075 kg, respectively. The first batch arrived as part of Gajapayana on August 26 and was welcomed onto the Mysuru palace premises on August 28.
The rehearsal route has been drawing large crowds since the elephants began their practice sessions. The number of spectators has been increasing with each passing day, prompting the Forest Department to appeal to the public to cooperate with the authorities. The police have also been deploying additional personnel to regulate the crowds and ensure the safety of the elephants and spectators.
On the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi on Monday (September 14), a special puja was performed for all the Dasara elephants at the palace. Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy and other senior district officials attended the ceremony with their family members.
Temporary shelters have been provided on the palace premises for the elephants, as well as their mahouts, kavadis and family members. Nutritious food is being provided to the elephants to help them gain weight and maintain the fitness required for the Jamboo Savari.
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