Srikanta heaviest among nine Dasara elephants at 5,790 kg

Among the nine Dasara elephants that have arrived in Mysuru and are set to begin their routine training for the Jamboo Savari, 57-year-old tusker Srikanta is the heaviest. The elephant from the Mathigodu elephant camp weighs a whopping 5,790 kg.

Ahead of the commencement of their training, the weights of all nine elephants were checked at a weighbridge here on Sunday (August 30). The exercise is undertaken to monitor the elephants’ health and fitness and ensure that they gain adequate weight ahead of their participation in the Dasara procession.

Tusker Ekalavya is the second heaviest at 5,600 kg, followed by Dhananjaya at 5,530 kg.

Among the other elephants weighing more than 5,000 kg are Mahendra (5,490 kg), Prashantha (5,205 kg) and Gopi (5,170 kg).

Srirama weighs 4,820 kg, while Lakshmi and Kaveri weigh 3,990 kg and 3,075 kg, respectively.

The elephants, which arrived as part of the Gajapayana on August 26 and were welcomed onto the Mysuru palace premises on August 28, were taken to the weighbridge under the supervision of Forest Department officials. Police personnel were deployed to provide security during their movement.

The sight of the elephants marching through the streets drew considerable attention from onlookers, who gathered along the roads to watch and photograph the jumbos. The elephants are expected to begin their training from Monday (August 31).

Temporary shelters have been provided on the palace premises for the elephants, as well as the mahouts, kavadis and their family members. Nutritious food is being given to the elephants to help them gain weight and maintain the required fitness levels ahead of the Jamboo Savari.