The Mysuru Dasara elephants have entered the third phase of their training, with the Forest Department beginning rehearsals using a wooden howdah as preparations intensify for the grand Vijayadashami procession.
The wooden howdah is used as a training device to train the elephants in the weight, position, and overall experience of carrying the howdah before the actual procession. The exercise is one of the most important parts of the preparation for the traditional Jumbo Savari, where the lead elephant carries the golden howdah.
The elephants are gradually exposed to the conditions that will be present in the final Dasara procession during the third phase. The training is meant to ensure the animals are comfortable and respond to their handlers well during the extra load.
All Dasara elephants are healthy, the Forest Department said, and well adjusted to their training and diet routine. Their health and physical status have been a priority as the festival approaches.
Dasara elephants get training in different stages so that they can evolve to different aspects of the celebrations in stages. Other than physical exercises, the elephants are familiar with the environment, sounds, crowds, and other conditions that are present during the Vijayadashami procession.
Mysuru Dasara elephants begin third phase of training with wooden howdah.
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The Forest Department has begun training the elephants with a wooden howdah as a rehearsal for carrying the golden howdah during the Vijayadashami procession.
All the elephants are healthy and have… pic.twitter.com/EZNdhlURlI
The wooden howdah is used in rehearsals for the handlers and veterinarians to observe how each elephant reacts before the actual golden howdah is introduced. Such a gradual approach is intended to minimize stress and also ensure that the elephants are well-equipped for the ceremonial duties.
The Mysuru Dasara procession is one of Karnataka’s most popular cultural events, and hundreds of thousands of people visit Mysuru annually. The golden howdah, originally carried by the lead elephant, is still at the heart of the Vijayadashami procession.
The elephants in Dasara are chosen for special preparation and are trained before the festival. They are trained in walking exercises, ceremonial experiences and gradual familiarisation with the equipment used during the procession.
Diet is also another major part of their preparation. The Forest Department checks for food intake and overall health of the elephants, and they get proper nutrition during training.
With the third phase now underway, preparations are closer to Vijayadashami. The wooden howdah rehearsal is an important step before the elephants take part in the actual procession carrying the ceremonial golden howdah.
Officials will monitor the elephants' health, behaviour and training progress in the coming days. So they will be ready to go in time as Mysuru gets ready for the Dasara festivities and be ready to go on to finish this weekend to celebrate.
The annual festival combines religious traditions, cultural activities and the spectacular Vijayadashami procession, with the trained elephants coming to the fore in the festival. Now that the third phase of training is in place, we will proceed with the final preparations for the grand procession.
