Arjuna carries the day

MYSORE: The gentle giant Balarama has a worthy successor in Arjuna.
On Monday, as Arjuna carried the fabled golden howdah on his back, ambling the 5km Dasara procession route, the 53-year-old majestic jumbo struck a chord with the milling crowd and announced that he is here to stay.
Carrying the 750kg howdah, the star attraction of Mysore Palace, the caparisoned elephant covered the distance in two hours.Starting from the palace, one of the most-visited sites in India with a footfall of 2.5 million last year, he reached Banni Mantap grounds, the destination, with poise. About five lakh people witnessed Arjuna's heroics in Mysore, and millions across India. Some 40,000 online visitors too watched it live, thanks to webcasting.
Sometime ago, when Balarama developed fatigue during his march to Banni Mantap grounds, the foresters were worried, given that there was no succession plan. Arjuna's successful performance for the second year in a row also means the end of Balarama's glorious era in the annals of Mysore Dasara festival. Balarama, 55, had carried the howdah for 13 years after the accidental death of legendary Drona.
"We've got a worthy successor in Arjuna. Given that he is in his prime, there should be no problem to continue the tradition for the next few years," sources told TOI. The foresters are training two tuskers to don the mantle after Arjuna.
The 403rd edition of the Mysore Dasara also saw some firsts. Like deployment of an unmanned aerial vehicle to enhance security arrangements and also separate enclosure for foreigners.
CM Siddaramaiah offered puja to Nandi Dhwaja at Balarama Gate (north gate) of the palace to set the jamboree rolling at 1.30pm. It was a kaleidoscope of Karnataka's art and culture on display as folk artistes from across the country showcased their state's art and culture, while 42 tableaux displayed Karnataka's rich history and achievements.
It took some four hours for the procession to reach Banni Mantap grounds. Though 14 elephants were in Mysore for the Dasara duty, only 12 made it to the celebrations. Durgaparameshwari, who was to make her debut, was dropped as she was yet to adjust to the rituals. Balarama started off first, signalling the launch of the party.
Such was the rush to be part of history that the musical chariot, drawn by tusker Abhimanyu, was taken off the jamboree some 1km from Banni Mantap grounds to allow artistes and tableaux to move quickly.