Mysuru: As a part of a routine procedure, the dasara pachyderms were weighed on Saturday, August 27. Arjuna, the howdah elephant weighed the highest among the six elephants, while Vijaya weighed the lowest.

56-year-old Arjuna from Balle camp weighed 5,615 kg, while 58-year-old Balarama from Thithimathi camp who carried the golden howdah 13 times continuously weighed 4,920 kgs. Abhimanyu who is aged 50 years old from Thithimathi camp weighed 4,890 kg, Gajendra (61) from K Gudi camp is 4,620 kg and Kaveri (38) from Dubare camp weighed 3,005 kg. Vijaya (59) stood at the last at 2,635 kg.

Veterinarian Dr Nagraj who is looking after dasara elephants from the past many years said that special food supplements will be supplied to elephants to get ready for ‘Jamboo Savari’ on Vijaydashami Day. He also informed that at an average, the elephants which come for dasara will gain nearly 200 to 800kgs.

The first batch of six elephants began their first brief morning walk to get acclimatized to the crowd and the route. Special food includes fodder, jaggery, sugarcane, green grass and coconuts and other nutritious food.