Mahout of famous elephant Balarama injured

Mysore, Aug 19 (UNI) The preparations for famous Dasara festivities are round the corner, the mahout of elephant Balarama which carries the famous Golden Howdah during the Dasara festival, met with a an accident yesterday.

ACF Prasanakumar told mediapersons at Hunsur today that Sannappa the mahout of Balarama was hit by a car at Hunsur.

He sustained injury on his foot and was admitted to Hunsur hospital.

Sannappa was looking after Balarama elephant for the past ten years. He said the injury would be cured in another ten-days.

Balarama would be looked after by Kavadi Thimma during the period.

The car driver Rashid hailing from Kerala was arrested and the vehicle has been seized, the ACF said.

Meanwhie the first batch of the six elephants embarked on their journey Gajapayana yesterday from Veernahosahalli near Nagarahole arrived in the city and presently housed at Aaranya Bhavan Formal welcome function would be held in in another two-days, he added.

UNI BSP/RKN TS2031