Elephants for 'Dasara' fest. begin journey to Mysore

Mysore, Aug 18 (UNI) The first batch of six elephants began their journey (''Gajapayana'') from Veeranahosahalli Mysore to take part in the world famous nine-day 'Dasara' festivities to be held here from September 30.

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and district incharge minister Shobha Karandlaje, as per tradition, offered pooja to the elephants before their departure.

The first batch comprised the Pachyderms by name Gajendra, Abhinaiyu, Arjuna, Sarala and Vijya besides 50 year old Balarama, which would be carrying the 850 kg golden howdah for the tenth consecutive year. The elephants were shifted from the jungle camp at Moorkal in the Nagarahole National Park to Veeranahosahalli.

The second batch of pachyderms, Prasantha, Harsha, Vikrama, Srirama, Kanthi and Revanthi, will arrive in the city during the first week of next month. All the elephants would be housed at the palace courtyard and made to undergo rehearsals every day before for the grand Dasara procession.

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