Hyderabad, July 1 -- With five days left for Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, hectic efforts are underway to arrange for an elephant to carry the Bibi ka Alam.

The Bibi ka Alam is taken out from Bibi ka Alawa at Dabeerpura, on Ashura, on a caparisoned elephant. The practice of carrying the Alam on an elephant is in vogue since the Nizam era and continues except during the COVID pandemic.

This year, the organisers of the procession identified and selected an elephant in Delhi for the procession. However, the Telangana Forest Department has denied permission for the elephant 'Joymoti' citing animal welfare concerns and transport regulations.

"Keeping the safety and well-being of the elephant in view, permission cannot be granted for tra...