Dasara celebration begins with the of the “Gajapayana” during the mid of August, is the ceremonial journey taken by the elephants to take part in the Dasara procession. The elephants are specially trained at Veeranahosalli, a small village near the main entrance of the Nagarahole National reserve forest. The Veeranahosalli village is situated about 70 km from Mysore. The pachyderms with their mahouts are traditionally decorated, offerings or puja are performed marking the launch of the Dasara festival and significance to have an auspicious start.
The procession begins with the tribal and folk dances by the local artists and Tibetans settlers (residing in the locality). Earlier, during the time of the Mysore Dasara, the kings, accompanied by the “Pattada Aane” would visit the forest and perform pooja to all the pachyderms that would participate in the celebrations. Then, the jumbos would walk to Mysore Palace. En route, people would also give the elephants a lot of foodstuff, which would upset their health.The 3-4 days journey would also tire them.
Taking into account the health of the elephants and the safety of the general public, the forest department decided to transport the elephants in trucks, from Nagarhole to Mysore. A traditional welcome is given to the elephants once they arrive at the main entrance of Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore.
Jumbos of the Dasara Jumbu Savari:
A team of 6 elephants march to the palace city of Mysore.
Balarama: The magnificent leader, he is the one carrying the Golden Howdah. He has been leading for the past 9 years and has participated in the Dasara for 14years. He was captured in 1987 in the Katti pura forest area, now stays in Mathigodu elephant camp.
Abhimanyu:The mascot who pulls the “Anegadi” the elephant cart, has been participation from the past 10 years. He is from the Hebballa forest, Kodagu district, now stays in Murkal elephant camp.
Vijaya: She has been in Dasara for 5 years, was captured in 1963, from the Dubare forest area, Madikeri division.
Gajendra: He belongs to the Kattepura forest area. Captured in 1987, presently living in Nagarahole has been in Dasara for 12 years.
Arjuna: He has been in the Dasara for 7 years and has once shouldered the burden of carrying the Golden Howdah, is from the Hebballa forest area of Kodagu in 1969.
Sarala: Our oldest elephant, she has been participating in Dasara from the past 4 years. She is from Kakanakote in 1977 forest, now residing in Sunkadakatte elephant camp.
There is also another contingent of 6 elephants which will join this group during the first week of September.
Mahouts and Kawadis
These are the real men behind the success of the pachyderm at the Dasara . The elephant trainer/Mahouts and his assistant/Kawadi train the animals since childhood, and handle them with ease. They belong to the tribal Muslim community from Sakrebailu and Dubare forest areas.
One can say that the skill of taming and controlling them is in their genes. This hard working and risky job does not pay them much. Many of them are on daily wages, meagerly paid and no safe conditions. Handling the big jumbos and training them to perform during the crowded Dasara is not easy, there is an acute shortage of the mahouts. The Forest Department plans to recruit more men and improve the situation. But there is not stopping the enthusiasm of this troop.
Government hikes pay for Mahouts and Kavadis from their existing pay now the Mahouts make Rs 5000 and Kavadis make Rs 4600 respectively.This change was made in September 2008.
Three cheers to the Gajas (elephants) of the Dasara !
