Mysuru Dasara’s Jamboo Savari preparations entered their final phase after 13 elephants and 46 cavalry horses took part in a successful cannon-fire rehearsal at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds, nine days before the procession.
The rehearsal was held on Monday under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Police Siddhanagowda Patil of the City Armed Reserve. A 35-member cannon unit fired 21 rounds from seven cannons, with each cannon firing three rounds, according to a report by Prajavani.
The elephants stood in formation during the exercise as cannon fire rang out. The animals included Abhimanyu, Sugreeva, Mahendra, Dhananjaya, Prashantha, Gopi, Srirama, Chaitra, Kaveri, Roopa and Lakshmi. The palace’s howdah elephant Srikanta and the flag elephant Ekalavya did not participate in the rehearsal.
Some elephants trumpeted when the cannon fire began, while mahouts and assistants calmed them by stroking their trunks and offering sugarcane and jaggery grass. The training was intended to familiarise the animals with the sound and conditions associated with the procession.
The cavalry horses were positioned on the left side of the elephants in a line. Some horses initially became nervous and neighed when the cannons were fired, but later settled down, the report said. The exercise brought together the animal teams and the security personnel responsible for the ceremonial gun salute.
Chief Conservator of Forests Ravishankar and Deputy Conservator of Forests I.B. Prabhugowda were among those present. The participation of forest officials reflects the administrative coordination required for an event in which trained elephants move through Mysuru’s public spaces amid large crowds, mounted personnel and loud ceremonial sounds.
The rehearsal has also intensified attention on the elephant that may carry the golden howdah. Forest department sources told Prajavani that Prashantha, an experienced elephant from the Dubare elephant camp, is being considered for the role. Prashantha and Dhananjaya had reportedly been competing for the responsibility.
That selection has not been officially confirmed in the supplied report. Dhananjaya has been selected to participate in the Srirangapatna Dasara, and officials commonly do not assign an elephant that has taken part in Srirangapatna the additional responsibility of carrying the howdah in Mysuru. On that basis, speculation has grown that Prashantha could be chosen.
Prashantha is being handled by mahout J.A. Chinnappa, while his son Bhaskar J.C. is handling Dhananjaya. The possible selection has generated discussion on social media, but the final decision remains with the authorities. Further preparations will continue ahead of the Jamboo Savari.
