Srikanta heaviest among nine Dasara elephants at 5,790 kg

In the nine Dasara elephants set to participate in Mysuru's Jamboo Savari, Srikanta, a 57-year-old tusker from the Mathigodu camp, stands out as the heaviest. On August 30, all nine elephants had their weights checked at a weighbridge in Mysuru, with Srikanta tipping the scales at an impressive 5,790 kg. The weigh-in aimed to monitor the elephants' health, fitness, and weight gain before their grand appearance in the procession.

Ekalavya, another prominent elephant, came in second place as the heaviest at 5,600 kg, followed by Dhananjaya at 5,530 kg. Other elephants weighing over 5,000 kg include Mahendra at 5,490 kg, Prashantha at 5,205 kg, and Gopi at 5,170 kg. Srirama, weighing 4,820 kg, and Lakshmi and Kaveri, at 3,990 kg and 3,075 kg respectively, rounded out the group.

The elephants, part of the Gajapayana, arrived in Mysuru on August 26 and were welcomed onto the palace premises on August 28. They were then taken to the weighbridge under the supervision of Forest Department officials, with police presence ensuring their security during the move. Onlookers lined the streets in droves to witness and photograph the majestic jumbos as they made their way to the weighbridge.

Training for the elephants is scheduled to commence on Monday, August 31. The palace premises has been set up with temporary shelters for the elephants, mahouts, kavadis, and their families. The animals are being provided with nutritious food to help them gain weight and maintain their required fitness levels ahead of the Dasara festivities.