Tusker Mahendra drops out of golden howdah race
Tusker Mahendra has been removed from the Mysuru Dasara golden howdah procession after failing to complete weight-bearing training. Four other elephants remain in contention for the prestigious role.
Why it matters
The Dasara procession is a major cultural event in India, and the selection of the lead elephant is a significant logistical and traditional process.
Tusker Mahendra is likely to be dropped from the race to carry the golden howdah during the Mysuru Dasara procession after he could not complete the weight-bearing training despite three attempts.
Mahendra was undergoing the third round of training by carrying a wooden replica of the golden howdah when he stopped near the Ayurveda College Circle on Sayyaji Rao Road on Thursday. The wooden howdah was subsequently unloaded and the elephant was taken back to the camp.
The Forest Department had decided to conduct the third round despite having almost decided to drop Mahendra from the race, considering various factors.
According to Deputy Conservator of Forests I.B. Prabhu Gowda, Mahendra successfully carried nearly 850 kg, including the wooden replica of the howdah and the cushion, during the first round. However, the second round had to be halted midway due to heavy rain.
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