Mysore Dasara elephants 2025 total 14 jumbos led by Captain Abhimanyu carrying the 750-kg golden howdah for the sixth consecutive year. Gajapayana ceremony held August 4th at Veeranahosahalli Gate marked their traditional journey to Mysuru, with first batch arriving August 7th at Palace.
Abhimanyu – The Golden Howdah Carrier
Abhimanyu, the 59-year-old elephant from Mattigod Elephant Camp, leads the Dasara procession carrying Goddess Chamundeshwari’s idol. He has participated in over 300 wild elephant rescues and 80 tiger capturing operations across Karnataka, earning the nickname ‘Combing Specialist’ and ‘AK-47’.
Weighing 5,360 kg, Abhimanyu undergoes 45 days of intensive training before Vijayadashami. He practices with 280-kg wooden howdah (exact replica of golden howdah) plus sandbags totaling 1,050 kg to build strength for the 4-km procession route.
Complete List of 14 Dasara Elephants 2025
First Batch (9 elephants – arrived August 7):
. Abhimanyu (59): Lead elephant, Mathigodu Camp
. Bhima (25): Heaviest at 5,465 kg, Mathigodu
. Kanjan (24): Dubare Camp
. Dhananjaya (44): Dubare Camp
. Prashantha (53): 16th Dasara participation, Dubare
. Mahendra (42): Fourth Dasara, Balle Camp
. Ekalavya (40): Doddaharave Camp
. Kaveri (45): Female, captured 2009, Dubare
. Lakshmi (53): Female, former circus elephant, Balle
Second Batch (5 elephants – arriving September 7):
. Kunthi: First-time participant
. Srirama: Debut in Dasara procession
. Parthasarathy: New addition to team
. Vijaya: Experienced performer
. Gopi: Supporting role elephant
Gajapayana Ceremony August 4, 2025
Traditional elephant march from Veeranahosahalli Gate in Hunsur taluk began 12:39 PM during auspicious Tula Lagna. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre performed ceremonial puja with washing elephants’ feet, applying turmeric and vermilion, offering prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari.
1.5-km procession accompanied by tribal music, folk troupes, and traditional drums. Elephants fed jaggery, sugarcane, and seasonal fruits before loading onto trucks for Mysuru journey. 5,000 people attended celebration with food arrangements by Forest Department.
Elephant Training and Preparation
70-member care team including mahouts and kavadis manages 14 elephants throughout Dasara festivities. Training begins August 9th along Jumboo Savari route from Palace to Bannimantap covering 4 km distance daily.
Special diet regime includes three components: branch fodder (banyan leaves, sugarcane, grass), Kusure (baked mixture of jaggery, coconut, straw), and protein balls (urad gram, green gram, wheat, rice, butter, vegetables). High-calorie diet ensures elephants maintain strength for procession.
Golden Howdah (Chinnada Ambari)
750-kg golden howdah carries Goddess Chamundeshwari’s idol during Vijayadashami procession. Made entirely of gold, the ornate structure represents centuries of royal tradition. Wooden replica weighing 280 kg used for training to protect precious original.
Elephant Accommodation at Palace
Special enclosures constructed inside Mysore Palace premises near Kote Someshwara Temple. Separate accommodation for Abhimanyu and female companion. Additional sheds near Bhuvaneshwari Temple for second batch arrival. Tender-holder Tafazzul Ahmad oversees construction work.
Historical Significance
Elephant tradition in Mysore Dasara dates back 1610 AD in Srirangapatna. During Wodeyar rule, elephants captured via Khedda method and trained specifically for festival. King personally oversaw training and selection based on gait, personality, strength, and character assessment.
Elephant Care and Welfare
Around 240 mahouts and kavadis care for 70 elephants in camps at Dubare and other locations year-round. Elephants receive medical checkups, dental care, and specialized nutrition. CCTV monitoring ensures 24-hour supervision during Dasara preparation period.
- Daily diet: Ragi mudde, horse gram, fodder branches in camps
- Palace diet: High-protein mix with vegetables and grains
- Medical care: Regular health checkups by veterinary team
- Exercise routine: Daily walks and strength training
Jumboo Savari Procession Route
October 2nd Vijayadashami procession starts Mysore Palace 1:15 PM, proceeds via Albert Victor Road, Sayyaji Rao Road, reaching Bannimantap by 3:30 PM. Abhimanyu leads with golden howdah followed by decorated elephants, horses, camels, cultural troupes.
Conservation and Ethical Concerns
Wildlife Protection Act 1972 restricts elephant capture except for human-wildlife conflict situations. Modern Dasara elephants mostly rescued from conflict areas rather than wild capture. Forest Department emphasizes conservation education alongside cultural tradition.
Training Schedule and Timeline
August 9-31: Basic training and route familiarization
September 1-21: Intensive practice with wooden howdah
September 22-October 1: Final rehearsals with full procession elements
October 2: Vijayadashami grand finale with golden howdah
Public Viewing and Safety
Elephant training sessions open to public viewing during morning hours. Safety barriers maintained 10 feet from elephants. Photography allowed but flash prohibited to avoid disturbing animals. Feeding elephants by visitors strictly prohibited.
FAQs Mysore Dasara Elephants 2025
How many elephants participate in Mysore Dasara 2025?
Total 14 elephants led by Abhimanyu. First batch of 9 arrived August 7, second batch of 5 coming September 7. All housed in Mysore Palace premises.
Who is the main elephant carrying golden howdah?
Abhimanyu, 59-year-old elephant from Mattigod Camp, carries 750-kg golden howdah for sixth consecutive year. He weighs 5,360 kg and has extensive rescue experience.
When did Gajapayana ceremony take place in 2025?
August 4, 2025 at Veeranahosahalli Gate from 12:39-12:59 PM during auspicious Tula Lagna. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre performed traditional ceremonies.
Can visitors watch elephant training sessions?
Yes, morning training sessions open to public with safety restrictions. No feeding allowed, flash photography prohibited. Training runs August 9 through September.
What do Dasara elephants eat during festival preparation?
High-calorie diet including urad gram, green gram, wheat, rice, jaggery, vegetables, butter. Special Kusure mixture and branch fodder. Different from regular camp diet.
Last Updated: August 2025
Next Update: During Dasara festivities September-October