Beloved Elephant Arjuna Passes Away; Wishing Him Eternal Peace

Arjuna, the majestic elephant, has passed away, leaving behind a sense of sorrow among those who had the privilege of encountering him. For several years, I had the opportunity to witness Arjuna’s star role in the famous Vijayadashami procession at the Ambavilas Palace in Mysuru, Karnataka. As part of the all-India festival coverage on NDTV, we would broadcast the procession live on TV. Every year, I would visit Arjuna’s enclosure to admire him and ensure he was coping with the stress of the event.

Initially, I believed Arjuna had died of old age at 63, considering he had retired from carrying the 750 kg golden howdah and the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Dasara procession. However, I later discovered that his death was not peaceful. Arjuna was involved in a Karnataka Forest Department operation to handle a wild elephant in Sakaleshpur. Unfortunately, he lost his life in a fight with that elephant in his forest home in Nagarahole.

Heartbreaking images depict grieving individuals sobbing over Arjuna’s injured body. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his sadness on X, and thousands of people have been affected by Arjuna’s demise.

The Mysuru Dasara tradition, dating back centuries, is an integral part of Karnataka’s cultural heritage. The Vijayadashami procession commences at the Mysuru palace and traverses through the city. The highlight of the procession is the jumbo savari, where beautifully adorned elephants take center stage. The “chief” elephant is entrusted with the responsibility of carrying the weighty golden howdah. Previously, the Mysore Maharaja would sit in the howdah, but later, it carried the idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari. Legend has it that Chamundeshwari defeated the demon Mahishasura, from whom Mysuru derives its name. According to the tale, Mahishasura rode a massive buffalo, and the Chamundi hill overlooking the city is believed to be the buffalo’s body.

The selection of the ambari elephant, tasked with carrying the howdah, was a meticulous process. Arjuna, despite his violent past, was chosen for this role. During the procession, the elephants, who spend most of the year in a forest camp, are brought in from Nagarahole to acclimate themselves to the city’s noise and the challenging roads. Concerns have been raised about the elephants’ well-being during this period, particularly considering the immense weight of the golden howdah and the overwhelming crowds and noise.

Arjuna was captured from the Western Ghats as a young eight-year-old and underwent training. Despite concerns about his temperament, he served as the ambari elephant from 2012 to 2019, starting at the age of 52. Even after being relieved of the howdah’s burden at 60, Arjuna continued to be part of the procession. This year, during Vijayadashami in 2023, the veteran elephant made his way from the forests to spend weeks in the palace grounds and walk through the streets of Mysuru.

I had the opportunity to see Arjuna in his Nagarahole home during a shoot for NDTV’s tiger campaign. Though he had a chain around his leg, a reminder of his “working” status, it was comforting to witness the tall, dark, and handsome Arjuna in his natural habitat rather than the urban environments where we usually encountered him. I was even allowed to feed him a ragi ball as he stood towering over me, separated by a wooden barricade.

I can’t help but wonder what Arjuna must have felt throughout his life. From being taken into captivity as a young elephant to enduring training and participating in the noisy procession during Dasara, his journey was undoubtedly filled with challenges. I hope that he has finally found peace.