Mysore:The countdown has begun for tuskers journey to take part in Dasara Utsav,while Arjun will lead the group of tuskers this year too,carrying the ceremonial royal crown.
The tusker Balaram who was heading the grand march in the past will also partake in Dasara Utsav this year. For the first time Forty five year old female tusker,Durgaparameshwari from Pilikula tuskers camp,Mangalore,will partake this year.
The tuskers that will partake in Dasara march are being cared for in different tuskers camp in Nagarahole National Sanctuary. The tuskers Arjun (57) and Varalaxmi (70) and Sarala (73) at Balle camp, Balarama (55), Abhimanyu (51), Gopalakrishna (26) and Durgaparameshwari (45) at Mattigodu camp in Kodagu,Vikram (49), Kaveri (33), Vijaya (41) and Gopi (26) at Dubare camp in Kodagu and Gajendra (60) at Chamarajanagar K Gudi camp are specially cared for.
All the tuskers including Arjun who will carry the decorated royal crown during Dasara Utsav are daily bathed in backwaters of Kabini river and offered massages. The tuskers enjoy the bath splashing water on each other, a rare delight indeed. Later, the caretakers apply neem and castor oil to avoid mosquitoe bites and offered special food.The playful tuskers get the maximum attention.
The handfuls of maze, corn, wheat flour, soya chunks, pulses, boiled rice with a pinch of salt is being fed to the entire group of tuskers that will partake in Dasara celebrations. Its being offered by placing in handfuls of bay.