The first batch of six Dasara elephants which arrived at the Palace premises here yesterday were weighed at a privatelyowned weigh-bridge on Dhanwantri Road in city today.

The weight of an elephant is said to be a crucial figure to decide on the quality and quantity of its diet, ensuring that they gain enough strength to undergo the arduous journey of 10 kms on the Jamboo Savari day, that too after waiting for hours before the procession begins.

The weights of the elephants in kgs were — Arjuna 5,535; Gajendra 4,755; Balarama 4,630; Abhimanyu 4,870; Varalakshmi 2,965 and Sarala 3,290.

The elephants will be weighed again on Ayudha Puja day.

During last Dasara, weight gain of the above elephants were — Arjuna-5,520 to 5,770 kg; Gajendra-4,565 to 4,960 kg; Balarama-4,535 to 5,055 kg; Abhimanyu-4,740 to 5,000 kg. Varalakshmi and Sarala were absent last year.

Speaking to SOM, veterinarian Dr. Nagaraj said the extra-nutritious fodder would be fed to the elephants twice a day.

Additional PCCF Ajay Mishra, CCF Gaonkar, DCF Devaraj and others were present.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore