Overview
- Authorities conducted the final run‑through on September 30 at Mysore Palace, capping rehearsals that prepare 14 elephants for the October 2 procession from the Amba Vilas Palace to Bannimantap.
- Lead tusker Abhimanyu will carry the 750‑kg golden howdah for the sixth consecutive year, with Kaveri and Roopa assigned as his kumki companions.
- Earlier exercises included a mock mounting of the howdah on Abhimanyu and 21 cannon rounds to condition the elephants to loud noise, with police bands and mounted units participating.
- Roles for the jumbo squad have been set: Dhananjaya as Nishane, Gopi as Naupat, followed by teams featuring Mahendra, Srikantha, Bheema, Ekalavya, Prashanth, Sugriva and Hemavathi.
- Senior forest and police officials oversaw the drills and veterinary checks, while seating, public viewing points and crowd‑safety measures are in place as visitor numbers and traffic increase across the city.