The practice of the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari being carried in the golden howdah during the Jamboo Savari is of relatively recent origin.
It became a practice after the abolition of the Privy Purse in 1971. Till then, the maharajas would sit in the golden howdah and a designated elephant would take them out in the procession. The government stepped in to promote Dasara in 1971, and instead of the maharaja, the idol of goddess Chamundehswari was placed in the howdah and the practice has continued since. The core of the 750-kg howdah, or Ambari, is wood but is covered with 80kg of gold, an official publication of the Palace Board on the Mysuru Palace states. Balancing the structure is a tedious task , and the process is strenuous for the animal.
Animal rights activists have in the past called for reducing the burden on the elephant by placing a lighter wooden replica, or placing the original howdah in a chariot and get it drawn by elephants.
But, the State government has brushed away such suggestions citing “tradition”, which is actually only of recent origin.
