Bengaluru: With less than two weeks to go for the famed Mysuru Dasara celebrations in Karnataka, the five elephants that will take part in a procession on the last day of this festival have been placed under strict quarantine to prevent them from catching the novel coronavirus.
The Jumbo Savari — the procession of elephants carrying idols of deities from the Mysuru Palace to the Bannimantap Grounds — is a key attraction of the 10-day Mysuru Dasara, which begins on 17 October.
Dr Nagaraj, the veterinarian who is in charge of the elephants, told ThePrint that strict Covid-19 protocol was being followed for the elephants named Abhimanyu, Vikram, Kaveri, Gopi and Vijaya. Abhimanyu will lead the procession this year.
“There are no rapid test kits for pachyderms. However, we are consulting the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bengaluru to follow adequate procedures,” Nagaraj said.
Mahouts under quarantine too
Not only the jumbos, the administration has also placed the mahouts and their kavadis (helpers) under quarantine. All 19 mahouts and their helpers as well as the elephants have been put on a special immunity-boosting diet to protect them from catching the viral infection.
Covid-19 tests of the mahouts and helpers, which were conducted within the palace premises, have tested negative. An official at the Mysuru Palace, who did not want to be named, said all entry and exit points into the premises were being strictly monitored and none of the mahouts or their support staff are allowed to leave until the Dasara festivities get over.
“We are only taking precautions for the well-being of each and everyone who form a vital part of the grand Dasara celebrations,” the official added.
The rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in Mysuru has forced the district administration to take extra precautions. The Dasara jumbos are usually weighed to check if they are in good health. Weight and strength are important aspects of preparing the elephants chosen for the festival. But this practice has also been abandoned this year because it would involve taking the animals to another location near the palace.
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