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Mysuru Dasara: Forest Deities Bless Jamboo Savari; Mahouts Offer Special Prayers for Elephants
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News18•01-10-2026, 09:36
Mysuru Dasara: Forest Deities Bless Jamboo Savari; Mahouts Offer Special Prayers for Elephants
- •Mahouts, kavadis, and forest officials performed unique religious rituals for the smooth conduct of Mysuru Dasara's Jamboo Savari.
- •They sought blessings from traditional forest deities for the safety and success of the elephants participating in the grand procession.
- •Special worship and prayers were offered at Ganaguru Ajjayya-Ajjamma, Ammale Ajjayya-Ajjamma, and the Mastamma temple near Balli Hadi.
- •Mahouts representing each elephant and forest officials participated, offering flowers, fruits, and coconuts, praying for the elephants to proceed calmly.
- •The elephant contingent staff expressed firm belief that with the blessings of the deities, this year's Dasara festival will be even more sacred and successful.
Key Questions Answered
Mahouts, kavadis, and forest officials performed special worship at shrines like Ganaguru Ajjayya-Ajjamma and Mastamma to seek the blessings of traditional forest deities for the safety, calm demeanor, and success of the elephant contingent during the Jamboo Savari.
After arriving from the forest, elephants are housed at the Forest Bhavan for one to two days to rest from their long journey and gradually acclimate to the city's noise and bustling environment before receiving an official royal welcome.
Caretakers added poha and curd to all the Dasara elephants' diets to help keep their bodies cool in Mysuru's weather, while completely removing ghee and incorporating items like watermelon, sugarcane, and jaggery for physical health.
