Ahead Of Mysuru Dasara Festival, Elephants Receive Special Care

Elephants are used in various celebrations and festivals that often become a point of attraction. The elephants need to be taken care of carefully to keep them healthy. This year, a new technique is being used for the safety of the Mysuru Dasara elephant team. This initiative was taken as the feet of the elephants were severely injured during the celebration. The feet of the elephants are reportedly being examined using a metal detector, with special attention on their health.

According to reports, the feet of the elephants are being inspected regularly in between their training sessions. One elephant named Kanjan has already been excluded from the training session and festival due to severe leg pain.

This initiative of examining the feet of the elephants who are participating in the daily practice session at the palace ground of Bannimantap was taken for the first time. Metal detectors are being used to check to ensure that small metal particles don’t stay inside their feet while injuring them. The chocks are reportedly conducted every day after the conclusion of the session.

The Forest Department is reportedly responsible for providing the team of elephants, which is the main attraction of the Mysuru Dasara festival, with proper nutritious food. They are fed with protein-rich food twice daily, around 6 to 7 kg each time. Their special diet includes boiled items like green gram, black gram, wheat, kusubul rice, onions, and a small amount of salt for taste. Adding to it, they are provided with vegetables like cabbage, beetroot, carrots, radishes, and cucumbers.

Along with these items, the food is mixed with items like fresh grass, banyan leaves and gunny sacks. At a regular interval, they are given a mixture of paddy straw with rice, jaggery, broken rice, salt, and coconut to maintain their health.

Mysuru Dasara, also known as Nada Habba, is considered a state festival of Karnataka. It is a 10-day celebration that is commemorated with great joy and pomp. A grand procession is organised every year, which starts from Mysuru Palace and ends at Bannimantap.