Weight training session for lead jumbo begins at palace
The Hindu
Abhimanyu, which is carrying the golden howdah in this year’s low-key celebrations, carried sand bags weighing 275 kg on its back
The weight training for Abhimanyu, who is carrying the 750-kg golden howdah during the Jamboo Savari, began on the palace premises on Monday.
The tusker carried sandbags weighing about 275 kg. The bags were placed inside a cradle-like structure that was placed on “Gaadhi Namdha”, a cushiony bed, and the elephant, accompanied by other Dasara jumbos, walked on the designated route within the palace fort. At around 12.15 p.m., the “Gaadhi Namdha” was secured on the back of Abhimanyu with ropes, and then the ‘cradle’ was tied on top of it. The training began after customary rituals.
The elephants walked up to the north gate of the palace and returned, covering a distance of about one kilometre. The rehearsal went off successfully.