Preparations for the world-famous Mysuru Dasara 2026 have already begun, and the Gajapade, the elephant squad that is one of the main attractions of Nadahabba celebrations, are in the process of training and preparing. A team of nine elephants has been brought into Mysuru Palace, where they are being trained and are ready for the grand Jamboo Savari.
Jamboo Savari is the grand finale of Mysuru Dasara, and thousands of festival visitors from around India and abroad come to see it. Decorated elephants moving from Mysuru palace to Bannimantap parade grounds are some of the most iconic events of the festival. With huge crowds and traffic, music and public activity, the elephants have to be physically and behaviorally prepared for the main event.
Nine elephants brought to palace premises
The arrival of nine elephants at the palace premises is an important phase in the preparation of Mysuru Dasara 2026. The elephants are slowly integrated into the city and are being trained to be comfortable in city life.
Elephants participating in the Dasara procession must adapt to conditions that are very different from their usual forest surroundings. The busy roads of Mysuru, vehicle movement, traffic horns, crowds, and unfamiliar sounds can make for a challenging environment. So gradual exposure is a must for training.
The goal is to ensure that the elephants remain calm and comfortable while moving through the city during the Jamboo Savari. Their training is being carried out in stages with their physical ability and individual behavior in mind.
Sandbag training for physical fitness
The Gajapade training is also physical conditioning and is one of the most important elements of Gajapade training. As part of the Gajapade training, they are trained to carry sandbags to prepare them for the physical demands of the Dasara procession. In this way, physical conditioning is necessary to strengthen their strength and endurance.
The training is carried out gradually, with the workload adjusted according to the individual elephant's capacity. Since the Jamboo Savari requires the elephants to participate in a long procession and remain active for an extended period of time, maintaining their physical fitness is considered essential.
The training also helps the elephants become accustomed to carrying loads in a controlled environment. This preparation is particularly important for elephants that will have specific responsibilities during the festival.
Gajapade training on Mysuru roads
The elephants are also being taken down different roads in Mysuru as part of their familiarisation training. They are gradually becoming accustomed to the sights, sounds and movement of an urban environment.
Vehicles, horns, pedestrians and other types of city activity are part of the daily life in these training sessions. By exposing the elephants to such conditions before the festival, the authorities and handlers want to make their participation in the Jamboo Savari easier.
The Gajapade walking through Mysuru streets has also generated a lot of interest from the residents and visitors. People have been stopping to see the elephants and take pictures and videos of the training sessions.
The arrival and training of the elephants is, for many residents, a sign that the Dasara season is almost upon us. The Gajapade along the city adds to the atmosphere before the main celebrations start.
Mysuru, Karnataka: Preparations for the world-famous Nadahabba Mysuru Dasara 2026 are underway, with the Gajapade (elephant squad) undergoing training on the streets of Mysuru. A team of nine elephants has been brought to the palace premises and is being trained to carry sandbags… pic.twitter.com/HALA8xXCXy
— IANS (@ians_india) September 9, 2026
Physical and mental preparation
Dasara elephants’ preparation is not only about exercises. During training, their health, food, rest, and behavior are also taken into account. Each elephant is an individual and has a different temperament and physical capacity, so individualized care is of utmost importance in preparing them.
The elephants are monitored by trainers and support staff throughout their training and gradually prepared for the conditions that they are going to encounter in the festival. Balancing exercise, rest and acclimatisation is essential as the Dasara celebrations approach.
The elephants will have to go through a very organised procession with decorated vehicles, large crowds, traditional music and a lot of public activity. So remaining calm and following instructions will be very important in their preparation.
Jamboo Savari is still the biggest attraction
The Jamboo Savari is one of the most well-known traditions of Mysuru Dasara. The sight of elaborately decorated elephants moving through the city towards Bannimantap is watched by thousands of spectators every year.
The elephants are not only part of the procession; they are one of the most significant cultural symbols of Mysuru Dasara. So the preparation is very much at the forefront of the festival arrangements.
With nine elephants at the palace premises and regular training sessions in progress, preparations for Mysuru Dasara 2026 are gaining momentum. In the coming weeks, their training and acclimatisation will continue as the Gajapade is gradually readied for the Grand Jamboo Savari.
For Mysuru residents, visitors and Dasara fans, the sight of elephants training in city streets has already created excitement. As the festival approaches, the Gajapade will be at the center of attention, setting the stage for yet another memorable edition of Mysuru’s celebrated Nadahabba.
