With the magnificent Dasara festivities drawing near, the Forest Department has successfully conducted a vital cannon firing drill to acclimate the revered Dasara elephants to loud sounds. The significant exercise took place on Monday at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds, featuring all 14 elephants, prominently led by Abhimanyu, alongside horses from the mounted police force.
This crucial drill is an integral part of preparing the elephants for the traditional 21-gun salute, a ceremonial highlight performed as the iconic Jamboo Savari procession officially commences from the palace on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami.
To ensure the elephants are fully accustomed, two more rounds of these cannon firing drills are scheduled in the coming days. Extensive precautions were meticulously put in place during the exercise to guarantee safety and prevent any unexpected or adverse reactions from the elephants to the powerful cannon sounds.
The initial round of the drill unfolded smoothly, with the majority of the elephants remaining calm and composed. While a few elephants showed minor signs of anxiousness, and some horses appeared slightly startled by the loud noise, the overall drill proceeded precisely according to plan. Deputy Conservator of Forest Prabhu Gowda expressed satisfaction, confirming, “It was a smooth drill and most of the elephants remained calm.”
The City Armed Reserve staff of the Mysuru City Police expertly conducted the drill, ensuring all necessary safety measures were observed. Senior officials, including Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Deputy Commissioners of Police Bindumani and Sundar Raj, and various forest officials, were present to oversee the proceedings.