The practice for the main attraction of the famous Mysore Dasara celebrations—Jamboo Savari, elephants’ procession—started there on Sunday.
Five elephants, led by Balarama, were taken along the procession route for rehearsal.
It is Balarama who will carry the Golden Howdah, weighing 750 kg, on the day of the procession. He was given a load of 250 kg to carry on Sunday. His load will be increased gradually.
One of the mahouts told DNA that last week of the rehearsal would be the most important as it is in that period that Balarama would be carrying the full load, 750 kg.
He said the elephant was strong enough to carry that load even now but they wanted to be extra careful to ensure that the animal does not come under any stress or fatigue.
The elephants have to walk a distance of 5.8 km, from the Amba Vilas Palace to the Torchlight Parade Ground at Bannimantap.
Traveling the distance is not an issue for the animals. On Dasara, they will have to walk along a large crowd of cheering, noisy onlookers. The organisers always keep the elephants away from the dancing groups and bands.
Balarama will be the centre of attraction on Dasara. He will be flanked by two female elephants—Mary and Sarala. However, Sarala was kept out of the rehearsal on Sunday as she is suspected to be pregnant.
If she is pregnant indeed, the organisers will have to find her replacement soon. Sources in the procession committee told DNA that a decision in this regard would be taken on Monday.
Preparations under way
Meanwhile, the preparations for the celebrations have begun in full swing in Mysore. Committees have been set up for the celebrations and the city is going through a face lift. District-in-charge minister SA Ramdas has left for Hyderabad to invite Udupi Pejawar Mutt Swamiji Vishvesha Thirtha, who is on a four-month cleansing camp (Chaturmasya) at a mutt on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Before departing for Hyderabad, Ramdas told DNA that other dignitaries such as the governor and chief minister of Karnataka, speakers of both the houses of legislature and the members of the royal family would be officially invited on September 8.
