World · India Bureau
Mysuru's Dasara elephants depart for jungle camps after festival
The pachyderms, including the ceremonial golden howdah-bearer Prashanth, completed their annual Dasara stint at Mysuru Palace before returning to their respective forest camps. The elephants underwent health checks and religious rites prior to departure.
LSN India ·
Mysuru's celebrated Dasara elephants have begun their journey back to jungle camps following the conclusion of their seasonal assignment at the historic palace. The contingent, led by Prashanth—the tusker traditionally designated to carry the golden howdah during processions—departed after completing mandatory veterinary assessments.
Customary religious ceremonies were conducted at Mysuru Palace before the animals were transported. The puja rituals, an integral part of the Dasara tradition, were observed to mark the conclusion of the festival season.
The elephants were subsequently loaded onto separate transportation vehicles for the return journey to their respective camps across Karnataka's forest regions. The annual rotation sees the animals serve ceremonial roles during the ten-day Dasara festival before returning to their regular habitats.
The Dasara festival at Mysuru, one of India's largest cultural celebrations, draws thousands of visitors annually and features elaborate processions featuring the palace elephants. The elephants' health and welfare remain paramount during both their festival deployment and forest camp residence.