Mysuru Dasara's Beloved Arjuna Dies In Wild Tusker Capture Operation In Hassan

The revered elephant Arjuna, known for carrying the iconic 'Golden Howdah' for eight years as a centerpiece of the 'Naada Habba' Mysore Dasara, passed away on Monday, December 4. According to reports, Dasara elephant Arjuna passed away after a valiant fight with a wild jumbo near Yeslur village of Sakleshpur district in Hassan district. The incident occurred when forest officials, in an attempt to capture the wild tusker, deployed Arjuna and three other elephants to aid in the operation.

Arjuna, a 64-year-old male elephant, was a revered figure during the annual Jumboo Savari, the grand procession that marks the culmination of the Dasara festivities. For weeks, a wild elephant had been causing havoc in several villages of Hassan district, prompting villagers to seek assistance from forest officials.

In response to these complaints, forest officials embarked on a mission to capture the wild tusker, utilising four tamed elephants, one of whom was Arjuna. During the encounter near Yeslur village on Monday, the attempt to sedate the wild elephant triggered an aggressive response, leading to a clash between the two elephants. Arjuna, in his valiant effort, sustained severe injuries and succumbed.

As the wild elephant pursued the other four jumbos, three managed to escape, while Arjuna courageously stood his ground, a decision that ultimately proved fatal.

Arjuna, a symbol of Mysuru Dasara, stood at an impressive height of 2.95 meters and measured 3.75 meters in length, weighing a remarkable 5,775 kilograms.

His tenure involved proudly carrying the 750-kilogram 'Golden Howdah' from 2012 to 2019, extending his participation in Dasara festivities even thereafter. Remarkably, he had been an integral part of Mysuru Dasara for a record-breaking 22 years.

Originally captured by forest officials in 1968 from Kakanakote forests near Mysuru in the Western Ghats, Arjuna spent his tamed years at Balle Elephant Camp. He played a pivotal role in various operations conducted by forest officials to domesticate numerous wild elephants across the state.