--- title: "Will Abhimanyu get a royal farewell in Dasara procession?" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/abhimanyu-farewell-dasara-btvko publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Politics published: 2026-08-20T05:30:38.058Z modified: 2026-08-20T08:00:06.220Z language: en-IN --- # Will Abhimanyu get a royal farewell in Dasara procession? Karnataka ministers urge a ceremonial farewell for the 60-year-old tusker Abhimanyu, who is slated for retirement from Dasara duties. A letter asks the Forest Department to include him in this year’s Jamboo Savari as Nishane Aane with a dignified send-off. ## Key takeaways - A request has been made to include Abhimanyu in the Vijayadashami Jamboo Savari as Nishane Aane with a ceremonial farewell. - Abhimanyu is 60 years old and has carried the Golden Howdah six times in the Dasara procession. - The appeal was led by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre to Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy. - The Forest Department had not announced a decision by August 19, 2026. ## What Happened In the lead-up to this year’s Mysuru Dasara, a request has been made to the Forest Department to allow Abhimanyu, a veteran tusker retired from Dasara duties, to participate in the Vijayadashami procession. Eshwar B. Khandre, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and former Forest Minister, sent a letter to Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy urging that Abhimanyu be included in the Jamboo Savari and given a ceremonial send-off. He proposed that the elephant serve as Nishane Aane (flag elephant) for a dignified farewell, rather than being kept out of the festivities altogether. The discussion centers on recognizing Abhimanyu’s long service, including his history with the Golden Howdah. He is noted for carrying the 750-kg howdah on six occasions and has served for more than 25 years with the Mysuru Dasara jumbo squad. The proposal underscores public affection for the elephant, who hails from the Mathigodu elephant camp in Nagarahole and has participated in numerous wildlife operations during his career. As of the report published on August 19, 2026, the Forest Department had not announced a decision on the request. The letter from Khandre emphasizes a desire to give Abhimanyu a farewell befitting his service, mirroring precedents set by other elephants of similar age who continued to participate in Dasara festivities. ## Why It Matters The push highlights how public sentiment and historical symbolism surrounding the Jamboo Savari influence decision-making around veteran elephants. A proposed ceremonial farewell would mark a formal acknowledgment of Abhimanyu’s decades-long involvement in Mysuru Dasara and his role in a high-profile state tradition, potentially shaping how aging elephants are treated in future proceedings. ## Background Abhimanyu, currently associated with the Mysuru Dasara jumbo squad, has carried the Golden Howdah six times and participated in more than 300 elephant-capture operations along with over 80 tiger-capture operations in his career. He is described as a celebrated elephant within Karnataka, with ties to the Mathigodu camp in Nagarahole. The Dasara procession, known as Jamboo Savari, is the main attraction of Mysuru Dasara and has long featured elephants as central figures in ceremonial duties. ## Key Facts - Abhimanyu is a 60-year-old elephant associated with the Mysuru Dasara jumbo squad. - He has carried the Golden Howdah (750 kg) on six occasions. - He hails from the Mathigodu elephant camp in Nagarahole. - He has participated in more than 300 elephant-capture operations and over 80 tiger-capture operations. - A letter from Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre urged Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy to include Abhimanyu in this year’s Jamboo Savari as Nishane Aane and award a ceremonial farewell. - The decision on the request had not been announced as of August 19, 2026. ## What Happens Next The Forest Department has not publicly committed to the requested inclusion of Abhimanyu in this year’s Jamboo Savari as of the report date. The next steps hinge on a decision by Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, following the appeal from Khandre for a dignified send-off for the veteran tusker. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/abhimanyu-farewell-dasara-btvko Reported from: Multiple Sources