A fortnight after their arrival to Mysuru from their jungle camps, the weight carrying rehearsal for Dasara elephants began here on Friday, September 15.
The rehearsal got off with Abhimanyu, which is the lead elephant that carries the 750-kg golden howdah, carrying nearly 600 kg of weight on its back on the first day of practice. The weight, by and large, comprised sand bags. Such a rehearsal will be conducted on a regular basis until the festivities to familiarise the jumbos to their tasks.
Besides Abhimanyu, other tuskers in the team are also made to carry the weight as a standby though Abhimanyu will be carrying the ‘ambari’ on the day of Jamboo Savari.