Mysuru: Veteran elephant Abhimanyu, a familiar face at the Mysuru Dasara festivities for several years, entered the Mysuru Palace on Monday morning as preparations for the 2026 Dasara celebrations gained momentum.
Abhimanyu has been selected as the Nishane elephant for this year’s Dasara. The Nishane elephant traditionally leads the elephant contingent during the grand Jamboo Savari procession and holds a prominent position in the celebrations.
Abhimanyu’s participation this year is particularly significant for Dasara enthusiasts, who had hoped to see the veteran elephant take part in the festival before eventually retiring from Dasara duties. The elephant had carried the iconic golden howdah during the Jamboo Savari for six consecutive years before being relieved of the responsibility.
On Monday morning, a traditional welcome was accorded to Abhimanyu at the Jayamarthanda Gate of the palace. A special puja was performed around 9am. The Gandhadagudi Foundation and Abhimanyu fans presented the elephant with a large mosambi garland and a 10-kg ceremonial turban, while the palace authorities welcomed it with fruits and traditional offerings.
The elephant contingent will undergo extensive training and preparations ahead of the main Dasara events. Arrangements are also being made at the palace to ensure the safety of the elephants as well as visitors during ceremonial programmes.
Though Abhimanyu has retired from carrying the golden howdah, his selection as the Nishane elephant gives the veteran pachyderm a special role in this year’s festivities. His return is expected to be a major attraction for visitors and Dasara enthusiasts.
The Mysuru Dasara celebrations will be inaugurated at Chamundi Hill on October 11. The festivities will culminate with the grand Jamboo Savari procession, followed by the traditional Panjina Kavayathu.
Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji invited to inaugurate Dasara
The state government has selected Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji as the chief guest for the inauguration of this year’s Mysuru Dasara.
Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy has formally invited the seer to attend the inauguration, scheduled to be held at Chamundi Hill on October 11.
The decision to have Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji inaugurate the festivities was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and attended by ministers and legislators. The Dasara celebrations will feature a series of cultural and traditional programmes, culminating in the grand Jamboo Savari and the Panjina Kavayathu.
