Gajapayana or the march of the Dasara elephants from their forest abode in Veeranahosahalli in Nagarhole forests to Mysuru Palace marks the countdown for the famous Dasara festival in Mysuru every year.
During a discussion on the Gajapayana at the Dasara Executive Committee’s maiden meeting in Mysuru on Monday, former Minister and MLC A.H. Vishwanath felt that the exercise of transporting the elephants to Mysuru Palace by truck after a symbolic flag-off from the forest camp at Veeranahosahalli defeats the very purpose of Gajapayana.
During the olden days, the elephants participating in the Dasara festivities used to trek from their forest camp to Mysuru Palace, which is about 75 k.m. The elephants would walk a few kilometres every day and reach their destination.
