Kushalnagar :

The majestic march of the elephants, spraying of water on anxious tourists, movements in tandem, trumpeting to the command of mahouts to the delight of spectators, playing football, etc. were the major attractions at ‘Aane Utsava’ (Elephant Festival) at the Dubare Elephant Camp on the banks of the River Cauvery near Kushalnagar in Kodagu yesterday.

The festival was organised by Madikeri Wildlife Division in association with Dubare Ammale Grama Aranya Samithi.

A total of 25 elephants participated in various games such as running race, football, basketball, sugarcane eating competition, obeying the commands of mahouts, spraying water on tourists, etc.

Elephants Vikram, Gopi, Cauvery, Harsha and Prashanth, which had participated in Dasara festivities at Mysuru, were decorated with ornaments. Gopi held the Kannada flag high to greet everyone and led the elephants in a march past, which received huge applause from the cheering crowd.

Older elephants were joined by calves in the performance. Elephant calves namely Agasthya, Mythili and Pruthvi also enthralled the crowd with their mischievous performance.

Elephants Gopi, Ranjan, Kapila, Gange and Aiyappa sprayed water to the delight of kids while Aiyappa, Karthik, Parashuram and other elephants walked like newly-weds by holding each other’s trunks.

Tourists and visitors, who had thronged the venue to witness the festival, were seen standing next to the elephants and getting themselves photographed besides taking selfies with them.

Former Minister M.C. Nanaiah, Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation Chairman T. Eshwar, Madikeri Division DFO Yedukondalu, ACF Poornima, Kushalnagar Zone Forest Officer M.S. Chinnappa and Dubare Elephant Camp Asst. Forest Officer Ranjan were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – November 16th, 2015