Much like Navaratri and Durga Puja in the rest of India, Mysore has its own set of festivities – Dasara, from 10 to 19 October this year. Apart from new clothes, delicacies and worship, the Dasara Elephants of Mysore are an integral part of the festival. The festival is celebrated in honour of Maa Chamundeshwari (one of the many forms of Maa Durga) killed the demon Mahishasura. Did you know that the name ‘Mysore’ actually comes from the word ‘Mysuru’, which celebrates the victory of good over evil through the display of the state sword, elephants, horses, Lord Vishnu and the Goddess in her warrior avatar.

What Is The Purpose Of The Dasara Elephants In Mysore?

Image Credit: ibtimes.co.in

The tradition of using elephants for the procession dates back to 1610 AD in Srirangapatna, which has now become a crucial part of the festival. All the elephants are beautifully decorated, while the lead elephant carries the Golden Howdah (‘Chinnada Ambari’ in Kannada) upon which sits the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari on a golden mantapa. The procession takes place on Vijaydashami during the Mysore Dasara processions.

How Are The Dasara Elephants Trained?

The Dasara elephants are usually brought from their training camps and surrounding National Parks in Dubare, Hebballa, Moorkal, Kallala, Nagarhole, Veeranahosahalli, Metikuppe, Sundakakatte, Bandipur, Moolehole, K. Gudi and Bheemeshwari. Approximately 240 mahouts are appointed to take care for these elephants and develop a bond with them. Earlier caught by the Khedda operation (which is legally banned by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972), the elephants would be chosen for their personality and strength – including walking styles, facial charisma and weakness to seduction.

How Are The Dasara Elephants Taken Care Of?

Once the elephants arrive in Mysore, they are treated like royalty. Usually, these elephants are served ‘ragi mudde’ (a mixture of ragi, horse gram and fodder branches) in their training camps. In Mysore, they would be treated to urad dal, green gram, what, boiled rice, onions, vegetables, groundnut, coconut, jaggery and sugarcane. They are even given butter and vitamin doses to keep up their strength.

Religious Factors

Image Credit: citytoday.news

The Dasara elephants are given different names at the time of the procession, usually based on Hindu mythological figures. Drona and Balaram are the lead elephants who would carry the idol of Maa Chamundeshwari in the Golden Howdah for the next thirty years. Arjun, Bharatha, Kanthi, Kokila, Sri Rama, Abhimanyu, Gajendra, Biligiriranga, Vikram, Varalakshmi and Sarojini form the rest of the group.

At The Time Of Jumboo Savari

The procession is called the ‘jumboo savari’ since it is primarily led by elephants, which arrive at Mysore a month earlier. Accompanied by the mahouts, they are trained for the festivities, occasionally walking the 70-kilometre distance from their home base at Nagarhole National Park to Mysore. They are revered and welcomed by folk dances and songs by the villagers. They are received by the District Minister and other distinguished officials from Mysore as well, as keeping with the royal traditions followed by the Maharajas.

With the festive season at its peak, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit
Mysore at this time of the year and witness the grand event. Pack your bags for the
next festive season!

The post All You Need To Know About The Dasara Elephants Of Mysore appeared first on HotFridayTalks.