Dasara jumbos enjoy a grand bath at Aranya Bhavan
Shyam Sundar Vattam
Mysuru
After a long and tiring journey from Hunsur to Mysuru in specially designed trucks, the first batch of nine Dasara elephants on Wednesday slipped into a well-deserved holiday mood at Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram , Mysuru on Thursday.
The majestic pachyderms, who have arrived to participate in this year’s world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations, were given a warm and comfortable welcome by the Forest Department. Before stepping into the magnificent Mysuru Palace on Friday, the jumbos were allowed to relax and rejuvenate amid the greenery of the sprawling Aranya Bhavan.
With abundant water available at the facility, the mahouts and kavadis treated the elephants to a refreshing bath. The attendants lovingly scrubbed and massaged their respective jumbos, turning the routine cleaning session into a thoroughly enjoyable experience for the gentle giants.
The elephants appeared to relish every moment of their pampering session, happily splashing around in the water as their caretakers worked tirelessly to clean them. The entire team of mahouts and kavadis joined the cleaning exercise, ensuring that the pachyderms were fresh and ready for the days ahead.
The Forest Department had also made elaborate arrangements for the elephants’ food, providing plenty of fresh foliage. The jumbos relished the feast after their journey, filling their bellies before settling down for rest.
PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden Meenakshi Gogi visited Aranya Bhavan to personally inspect the arrangements made for the ‘state guests’. She interacted with Forest Department personnel, mahouts and kavadis and took stock of the facilities provided for the elephants and their attendants.
The jumbos also appeared to acknowledge the presence of the Forest Department’s top official by giving her a traditional ‘salam’, much to the delight of those present.
On Friday, the nine elephants will receive a formal welcome at the Balarama Gate of the Mysuru Palace in the presence of a host of dignitaries. They will then be led into the specially prepared elephant enclosure, where they will stay throughout the Dasara festivities.
The Forest Department has made arrangements for the accommodation of the elephants, mahouts, kavadis and their families within the Palace premises.
The preparations for the grand Dasara spectacle will gather momentum soon, with the regular route-march exercises expected to begin next week. Before the training commences, the weight of each jumbo is likely to be recorded on Saturday or Sunday.
For now, however, the nine royal guests are enjoying their peaceful interlude—bathing, eating, resting and soaking in the Mysuru hospitality before beginning their majestic Dasara duties.
