Gajapayana, the stately and the traditional march of elephants from the jungle camps to Mysuru to participate in the Dasara celebrations, has been rescheduled once more. It will now be held on August 12 instead of August 14, at Nagapura camp on the outskirts of Hunsur.
The Dasara executive committee had decided to hold it on August 10 at its meeting held few days ago and then had changed the date to August 14. However, on the behest of the government, the district administration changed it again to August 12.
D. Randeep, Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru district, told The Hindu that the date was changed to enable all the elected representatives to take part in it. The Chief Minister will hold a meeting of the representatives of Mysuru region on August 14 to decide on whether to release water to tanks or crops. All the MLAs will take part in the meeting. This has prompted the district administration to reschedule the programme, he said, and added that the district administration wanted all the elected representatives such as MLAs, MLCs and others to take part in the Gajapayana that marks the countdown to Dasara which is a State festival now.
V. Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, told The Hindu that for the first time this year tourists will be brought to Nagapura camp to witness the Gajapayana. A traditional function, complete with cultural programmes will be held at the camp, and over eight to ten cultural troupes including Veeragase and Dollu Kunita will take part.
The elephants will be taken in a procession for some distance as a formality after the stage programme and will be brought to the Aloka near Ilawala on the outskirts of Mysuru by trucks. A traditional welcome will be accorded to them at the palace on August 17.
Mr. Yedukondalu said that people of many villages between Hunsur and Mysuru had demanded that the Dasara elephants this year should be brought to Mysuru on foot as they wanted to worship them at the entrance of their villages. In order to respect this sentiment, they may be allowed to worship the elephants at Aloka camp but a final decision on this will be taken after discussing the issue with the DC.
