Mysuru: As the first batch of Dasara elephants wait in the grounds of the Aranya Bhavan to make their way to the Mysuru Palace for the celebrations ahead, the Mysuru deputy commissioner, who is also the Dasara special officer, has insured all 14 jumbos for a sum of Rs 40 lakh for the duration of the festival from September 22 to October 15.
While the mahouts and kavaadis of all 14 elephants are being insured for a sum of Rs 28 lakh, the jumbos are also being insured for any harm that the public may cause them for a sum of Rs 30 lakh.
Meanwhile, the elephants are proving a huge attraction as they rest at the Aranya Bhavan and the staff of the forest department are having a tough time controlling the crowds arriving for a glimpse of them. They will be taken to the Mysuru Palace courtyard on August 26 , where they will remain with their caretakers till the end of the Dasara celebrations.
Besides the four new elephants, and one which participated in the celebrations last year, all the rest are veterans of between seven and 23 Jumbo Savaris. The elephants were over the years captured from different forests and are housed in various forest camps.
Fifty nine- year- old Arjuna from the Balle camp in the Nagarahole Tiger reserve, is participating in his 20th Dasara and could carry the 750 kg golden howdah for the ninth time this year. He was captured in a Kedda operation in the Kakanakote forest area in 1968.
Sixty one- year- old Balarama from the Maththigodu camp of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserves, is participating in his 23rd Dasara. Captured in the Kattepura forest area of Kodagu in 1978, Balarama carried the golden howdah for 14 years.
