WorldPhoto: Deccan HeraldHistory of Mysuru’s Dasara Elephants and Khedda Operations
Mysuru’s Dasara festival is closely linked with elephants, especially those carrying the golden howdah (Ambari). Historically, elephants were highly revered, with the Mysuru Palace’s east gate named after one, Jayamarthanda. The last Maharaja, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, favored an elephant named Biligiriranga. Recent Dasara elephants like Arjuna, Abhimanyu, and Bheema were mostly rescued from human-elephant conflicts. Earlier, elephants were captured through Khedda operations, which contrast with modern wildlife conservation laws like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Deccan Herald··Mysuru



