Abhimanyu to be ceremonially retired from Dasara duties

Now aged 60, Abhimanyu is being withdrawn from active Dasara duties in accordance with government guidelines and directions of the Karnataka High Court. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram Legendary Dasara elephant Abhimanyu, who carried the 750-kg golden howdah with majesty and grace during the Jamboo Savari for six consecutive years, will be ceremonially honoured and retired from active Dasara duties this year.The decision comes ahead of the traditional Gajapayana, the ceremonial march of Dasara elephants from the forest camps to Mysuru. It begins at Veeranahosahalli near the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on Wednesday (August 26), marking the commencement of preparations for Mysuru Dasara 2026.Now aged 60, Abhimanyu is being withdrawn from active Dasara duties in accordance with government guidelines and directions of the Karnataka High Court. Recognising his exceptional service to the festival and the Forest Department, Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy and former Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, who is the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister now, have decided to honour the veteran tusker with a special tribute, according to the Forest Department.Abhimanyu will make a special appearance during Gajapayana 2026, where a formal tribute will be paid to him before he is ceremonially bid farewell from Dasara responsibilities.In a letter to Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Mr. Khandre had suggested that Abhimanyu be included as the Nishane Aane (flag elephant) and given a dignified send-off rather than being abruptly kept away from the festivities.He pointed to the examples of legendary tuskers Arjuna and Balarama, who continued to participate in Dasara after attaining the age of 60. Arjuna, captured during the Kakanakote Khedda operation in 1968, participated in the Jamboo Savari 22 times and carried the golden howdah on eight occasions.Mr. Khandre had urged the Forest Department to allow Abhimanyu to participate in this year’s Jamboo Savari and bid farewell to him in a manner befitting his long and distinguished service. The decision to keep Abhimanyu out of this year’s Dasara had disappointed lakhs of his admirers, he said.Abhimanyu, from the Mathigodu elephant camp in Nagarahole, has participated in more than 300 elephant-capture operations and over 80 tiger-capture operations. His successful handling of challenging wildlife operations, coupled with his six appearances as the golden-howdah bearer, has made him one of the most celebrated elephants in Karnataka.Abhimanyu’s decades of service, courage, discipline and contribution are expected to remain an inseparable part of the history of Mysuru Dasara, according to forest officials. Published - August 25, 2026 06:59 pm IST