The Sampadak Express News Desk
Prashanth, a 54-year-old tusker from Dubare Elephant Camp, successfully carried the 750-kg golden howdah in his debut appearance at the Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari finale on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, assuming the role of lead elephant for the famed procession. The Hindu reported that his performance marked a smooth handover of the prestigious duty from veteran bearer Abhimanyu.
Forest officials and a panel of experts selected Prashanth after evaluating fitness, temperament and overall suitability, choosing him from a shortlist of five tuskers for the demanding task of bearing the howdah with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Though he has participated in Dasara for 18 years, this was his first year as the howdah carrier.
Known for a calm disposition, Prashanth moved through Mysuru’s packed streets with steady composure despite loud festivities and dense crowds along the route. He was flanked by kumki elephants Kaveri and Roopa during the procession.
With the successful debut, Prashanth takes over leadership of the Dasara elephant contingent, continuing a lineage associated with celebrated howdah bearers including Drona, Balarama, Arjuna and Abhimanyu. Organisers said his selection and performance align with the tradition’s emphasis on steady temperament and reliability in testing conditions.
The golden howdah carried by Prashanth bore the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Jamboo Savari, the ceremonial centrepiece of Mysuru’s Dasara celebrations.
