Mysuru (Karnataka): The gajapade (elephant herd) led by elephant Abhimanyu for the Dussehra - 2021 Mahotsav arrived at Mysuru palace on Thursday morning. The gajapayana, the traditional journey of elephants, was held at Veeranahosahalli earlier.
Against the COVID19 backdrop, the Mysuru Dasara celebrated as Nada Habba (state festival) will be held in a simple manner like last year. Eight elephants, led by Ambari's leader Abhimanyu from different camps, were weighed before they were welcomed into the palace. A month-long rehearsal will be held in the palace for the festival.
The main attraction of the Dasara is the jamboo ride. The elephant herd reached the outskirts on Sept. 13. The local representatives, MPs and officials drove to the Gajapayana and invited the Mahouts and Kavadigas and other staff to participate in the Dasara.
The eight elephants belong to different camps like the lead elephant Abhimanyu and Gopalaswamy are from Mattigodu camp, Ashwathama is from Dodda Harave camp, Vikrama, Dhananjaya and Kaveri are from Dubare camp while Chaitra and Laxmi are from Rampura camp.
The Gajapadeled by Abhimanyu entered the palace through the Palace's Jaya Marthanda Gate at the auspicious time. District Incharge Minister S.T. Sekhar and forest officials offered prayers at Jaya Marthanda gate and received them inside the palace premises. The herd will stay in the palace from Sept.16 to Oct. 17. The elephants will take part in the jamboo ride on Oct. 15 and return to their respective camps on Oct. 17.
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