Veteran Jumbo Prashantha To Feery Golden Howdah On the Finale Of Mysuru Festivities, Mahout Happy

BENGALURU: Having 18 years of experience participating in jumbo savari, the finale of Mysuru Dasara festivities wherein a designated elephant carries 750-kg golden howdah from Mysore Palace premises to Bannimantapa (about 4.5 km), tamed elephant Prashantha, estimated to be about 54 years is all set to go on his maiden golden howdah carrying procession in Mysuru city on Wednesday. The jumbo savari is scheduled to start at around 4 pm as per auspicious timing.

Jumbo savari has been continued from the days of erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore who ruled the region. During the rule of Maharajas, the Maharaja in power used to mount on the golden howdah to go in the procession and after the elected government came into existence, an idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, is seated.

Meanwhile, the selection of Prashantha made his mahout Chinnappa ecstatic. 13 elephants were chosen for Dasara festivities from various camps and the selected elephants began rehearsal of jumbo savari about two-months back.

Mahout Chinnappa said “Earlier, I used to be with Prashantha and go in the procession. I had the dream of guiding the howdah elephant in jumbo savari and the dream came true after the name was announced by officials concerned.”

“Now I have a chance to guide Prasahantha along the procession route,” stated Mahout and exuded confidence that Prashantha would carry a weight of about 1,000 kgs with ease.”

Over the selection of Prashantha, Conservator of Forests Ravishankar said “Prashantha does not panic over flashing light and sound, a crucial factor which made the selection. Besides, he is experienced in Dasara festivities and has shown good temperament.” Ravishankar added Prashantha coordinates well with his mahout and kavadis in the procession. Prashantha is sturdy built and weighs about 5,500 kgs.

It may be recalled here, one of the tamed elephants designated to carry golden howdah in jumbo savari procession Mahendra halted mid-way during the procession rehearsal, a couple of days back and officials concerned decided to put him under rest.

Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mysuru division Prabhugouda Patil told Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday “All elephants participating in jumbo savari are in excellent health and their stress levels have been monitored. Tamed elephants are stress free to go in the procession on Wednesday.”

The jumbo savari procession goes through K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao road, Abul Kalam Azad Circle before reaching Bannimantapa and people gather on both sides of the roads, occupy vantage places to catch glimpse of jumbo savari procession.