Mysuru, Aug. 26 -- In a fascinating development ahead of the grand Mysuru Dasara festivities, three elephants-Sugreeva, Shreekanta, and Bheema-have outweighed Abhimanyu, the traditional bearer of the golden howdah in the famous Jamboo Savari procession.
Sugreeva emerged as the heaviest elephant this year, tipping the scale at 5,545 kilograms, closely followed by Shreekanta at 5,540 kg. Bheema, at 5,465 kg, took the third spot. Abhimanyu, the lead elephant entrusted with carrying the 750-kg golden howdah, weighed in at 5,360 kg, placing him fourth in the weight rankings.
Officials clarified that the selection of the howdah-bearer is not purely based on body weight but also on discipline, temperament, and experience. Abhimanyu, despite bein...