The first batch of
elephants, which will be part of Mysore Dasara Mahotsava -2013 began
their journey from woods of Nagarahole National Park to Royal city
Mysore on Wednesday.
Praying goddess
Chamundeshwari, 'Gaja Payana', a ritual of welcoming and bringing
elephants for dasara festival (October 5 to 14), was kicked off with
religious fervour and cultural note at Nagapura Girijana School,
Veerana Hosahalli at Hunsur Taluk here on Wednesday.
Five elephants such as
Balaram, Abhimanyu, Sarala, Varalakshmi including the howdah Arjuna
elephant were welcomed by elected representatives, officials and
villagers with due respect by performing traditional puja.
The elephants were decked
up with colourful flowers, and ornaments. After formal inauguration
of the event, the elephants were transported in trucks from Nagapura
to Mysore Palace. Another elephant Gajendra on route accompanied the
elephants in Palace. The second batch of elephants is expected to
arrive on next months.
These elephants will take
part in the 403rd
World Famous Dasara Jumboo Savari to be held on October 14. They will
be taken care for more than one and half month in Mysore providing
needed rich and superior quality meals.
Priest Prahalada Rao said
that from last 13 years he is taking part in the puja rituals of
Gajapayana and the number of people turning to take part in the
ceremony is increasing year to year.
Nagapura Hamlet Tribal
children put steps for traditional songs. While, Gurupura Tibetan
Colony children staged performance for 'Choelca Sum', traditional
Tibetan Dance on the occasion.
Veeraghase Kunitha by
artistes of Gavadagere and Kamsale by Valmiki Yuvakara Sangha of
Periyapatna was performed. About 51 girls and women of Sharada
Swasahayaka Sangha and Chamdeshwari Sangha of Doddahejjur gave
'Purnakumba' welcome for the elephants, considered it as auspicious.
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Title deeds for Tribals
Revenue and District
in-charge Minister V Srinivasa Prasad after inaugurating Gaja Payana,
assured of distributing Title deeds for families of tribals who have
relocated from reserved forest area. He said talks has been held with
concerned MLA's in this regard and soon decision will be taken.
He further said that
Mysore dasara attracts people from world wide and measures have been
taken to give tourists good hospitality and follow the tradition of
Yadu Vamsha. Deputy Commissioner C Shikha, ZP and TP members were
present.
Highlights
*The elephants were
offered with jaggery and dry coconuts during Gaja Payana.
* Sarala and Varalakshmi
are taking part in the dasara festivities after gap of two years, as
they had given birth for calves.
* Mahouts and their family
members will stay in the temporary sheds which will be erected at
palace premises.
Know about elephants
* Arjuna: Male, 53 year
old (5100 kg) from Balle Elephant Camp. He will be carrying 750 kg
golden howdah for second time. Mahout Dodda Masti.
* Balarama: Male, 55 year
old (4950 kg) from Thitimathi Elephant Camp. He is taking part in
Dasara activites from last 17 years and has carried golden chariot
for 13 times. Mahout Thimma.
* Gajendra: Male, 58 year
old (4560 kg) from K Gudi Elephant Camp. He is taking part in Dasara
activites from last 17 years and has carried golden chariot for 16
times and this is 'Pattada Anne'. Mahout Rama.
* Abhimanyu: Male, 47
year-old (4650 kg) from Thitimathi Elephant Camp. He is taking part
in Dasara activities from last 14 years and he pulls the chariot of
Musicians during Dasara. Mahout Vasanth.
* Sarala: Female, 71
year-old (3250 kg) from Balle Elephant Camp.
She is part of Dasara from
last 14 years. Mahout Srirama.
* Varamahalakshmi: Female,
58 years old from Balle Elephant Camp.
She is part of Dasara from
last 8 years. Mahout Gunda. Both these female elephants are 'Kumki'
elephants (Chaperon) for Arjuna.
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