Mysuru Dasara 2025: Gajapayana flagged off near Nagarahole forest

Gajapayana, marking the symbolic march of the Dasara elephants to Mysuru for the Dasara celebrations, was flagged off at Veeranahosahalli on the fringes of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on August 4.

The ‘Gaja Puje’ or special worship of the elephants was held from 12.34 p.m. to 12.59 p.m. This signals the countdown to the Mysuru Dasara, and all activities will revolve around preparations for the annual event, which highlights the culture of Karnataka, and also promotes tourism.

During the days of the maharajas, ‘Gajapayana’ used to be a stately affair with elephants walking the entire distance from camps in the forest to Mysuru city. The tradition, however, went out of vogue decades ago, and the prevailing version of the ‘Gajapayana’ was reintroduced about 20 years ago.

Though the elephants marched the entire distance in the first year after the reintroduction, it was discontinued from the subsequent years, and the march became symbolic. Hence, the elephants, after the prayers and flagging off, walk a short distance at Veeranahosahalli before being shifted to trucks, which ferry them to Mysuru.

People dressed as warriors at the Gajapayana, which marks the symbolic march of the Dasara elephants to Mysuru for the Dasara celebrations, on August 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Sriram M A