Excitement is building ahead of the world-famous Mysuru Dasara 2026 celebrations, and thousands of people eagerly await seeing the grand Jamboo Savari procession. One of the big questions in the past year's festivities was which elephant would carry the prestigious Golden Howdah after the retired Dasara elephant Abhimanyu retired from the duties of the Golden Howdah in the new year festivities.
And now the suspense is over, and 54-year-old Prashantha has been selected to carry the Golden Howdah for the first time. Mysuru District in-charge Minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah announced this decision, as reported. It represents a big deal for Prashantha and a historic moment for him, who has been participating in Dasara celebrations for 18 years.
The elephant from Dubaare camp in Kodagu district will now take on one of the most prominent responsibilities in Vijayadashami celebrations, carrying the sacred Golden Howdah through the grand procession before thousands of spectators.
Prashantha to carry the 750-Kg Golden Howdah
The Golden Howdah is one of the famous sights of the Mysuru Dasara Jumboo Savari. The report says that the howdah weighs around 750 kilograms and is carried by an expert elephant during the procession. The elephant carrying it is at the centre of the celebrations, with other elephants, traditional music, cultural performances and a large crowd.
Prashantha was chosen to carry it, and now the focus is on his preparations for the historic occasion. Carrying the Golden Howdah requires a lot of training, strength and expertise in the sights and sounds of the procession. The elephant must be still with crowds, music, ceremonial activity and the movement of the procession.
Prashantha’s selection comes after years of participation in the Dasara festival, but this will be his first time carrying the Golden Howdah. His debut in the role is expected to be one of the main talking points of this year’s Jamboo Savari.
Who is Prashantha? Key facts about Dasara Elephant
Prashantha belongs to Dubaare Elephant Camp near Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, Karnataka. It was captured in the Karekoppa forest in 1993 according to the report of source. He stands about 2.61 metres tall and 3.46 metres long, so he is a powerful member of the Dasara elephant group and weighs around 5,100 kg.
Prashantha's size, as well as his past experience with the festival, has brought him into the spotlight since he was selected as the bearer of the Golden Howdah. The elephants used in the Dasara procession are pre-trained and trained to know the way, crowds and ceremonial atmosphere. Preparation for the Jamboo Savari is critical, as the Jamboo Savari is big and full of noise and activity, and elephants need to stay calm and under supervision.
Eighteen years of Dasara participation
Prashantha is not a stranger to Mysuru Dasara. The elephant has been participating in the annual festival for 18 years now and has become familiar with the ceremonial environment and the rituals of the procession. His mahout is J.A. Chinnappa, while Chandra is the assistant elephant caretaker, according to the source.
The mahout and kavadiga are of fundamental importance in the daily care, handling and preparation of the elephant. The animal is intimately familiar with the people, so it is especially important to have them around for large public events when coordination is crucial, and supervision must be taken into account. Prashantha was part of the Dasara celebration in India for nearly two decades, so the Golden Howdah is a new burden. His selection shows how one must have experience, but also preparation to choose an elephant to lead one of Karnataka’s biggest events.
Why was a new Golden Howdah Carrier needed?
The search for a new Golden Howdah carrier was more active after Abhimanyu, the veteran elephant who had been the captain of the Dasara procession and carried the Golden Howdah, retired. His departure from the position has raised questions about who will take his place. Prashantha, Dhananjaya, Ekalavya, Mahendra and Sugreeva were among the elephants that were considered for the prestigious assignment.
Preparation and training in training were the main factors to be considered. Mahendra was said to have been removed from consideration for the role as he stopped midway while carrying a wooden howdah during a recent rehearsal. The incident further fuelled the anticipation of the last announcement. Now that Prashantha has been selected, the remaining preparations for the Jamboo Savari and the arrangements needed to ensure the elephant can carry out the ceremonial responsibility safely are over.
Mysuru Dasara 2026: A Major Attraction for Visitors
Mysuru Dasara is one of Karnataka’s most popular cultural festivals and draws people from all over the country and from abroad. The festival culminated in the Vijayadashami Jumboo Savari with the arrival of elephants, traditional songs, musical ensembles and a procession that epitomises the country’s royal heritage.
The Golden Howdah always takes centre stage and draws the crowd along the route. Prashantha’s selection is a new element of excitement and is welcome for those Dasara elephant fans who follow the route of the Golden Howdah. As preparations proceed, the handlers of elephants, festival organisers and the government will need to coordinate the training, route and crowd management. The elephants of the festival will also be protected and cared for properly. With Prashantha carrying the Golden Howdah for the first time in this event, Mysuru Dasara 2026 will mark a new chapter in the elephant's history with the festival.
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