Bengaluru: Drawing the curtains on uncertainty over veteran Dasara elephant Abhimanyu’s participation in the 2026 Dasara Jamboo Savari, the state government on Friday granted the 60-year-old jumbo special permission to take part in the procession as the ‘Nishane Aane’ (lead elephant), paving the way for a dignified final outing.The state government’s decision comes days after former forest minister and current rural development and panchayat raj minister Eshwar Khandre urged the government to permit Abhimanyu, the legendary tusker who has carried the 750kg Golden Howdah six times, to participate in the Dasara festivities and be given a grand and befitting farewell. Rescued way back in 1970 from Hebballa forest range in Kodagu, Abhimanyu was involved in over 300 wild elephant rescue operations and over 80 tiger rescue operations across KarnatakaAfter considering reports from forest and veterinary officials, the state government said Abhimanyu’s health condition was satisfactory. “Veterinary officers, mahouts and kavadis who attend to Abhimanyu at the elephant camp have confirmed that he is physically and mentally fit. The Deputy Conservator of Forests and Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Hunsur, has also verified the details recorded in his health report,” the order stated.However, the order makes it clear that Abhimanyu’s role will be strictly limited to that of a Nishane Aane (lead elephant). “He will participate only as the Nishane Aane and will not be assigned any hard work or subjected to prolonged training, considering his age,” said Kumar Pushkar, IFS, Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka. The 2026 Dasara will be celebrated from October 11 to October 21.As per the instructions, Abhimanyu can be brought to the Mysuru Palace 15 days before the Dasara festivities for practice ahead of the world-famous Jamboo Savari. After the Vijayadashami procession, he will be shifted back to the Mattigodu elephant camp near Thithimathi in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district. Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the government had initially decided against assigning Abhimanyu any role in the festivities in view of the retirement guidelines for aged elephants.“As per the state government’s SOP on aged elephants issued in 2017, any elephant that has crossed 60 years of age shall be retired from active service and may only be assigned light work on the recommendation of veterinary officials. Hence, the government had initially assigned him no role. However, considering his past services during human-wildlife conflict operations and Dasara festivities, as well as the love and affection he enjoys among people, the government has decided to give him a grand farewell by permitting him to take part in the procession for the last time,” Reddy said. According to Forest Department records, Abhimanyu completed 60 years in April 2026.What is the role of Nishane Aane?A Nishane Aane in the Dasara procession is a ceremonial elephant that marches at the front of the world-famous Jamboo Savari, carrying the traditional insignia and leading the procession. It paves the way for the principal Ambari (howdah) elephant, which carries the Golden Howdah and is accompanied by Kumki (tamed) elephants.
