Bengaluru: Elephants taking part in Shivamogga’s Dasara Jambusavari must undergo 20–30 days of training from next year, with checks on their health, mental condition and fitness before deployment, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said following the incident involving ambari elephant Somanna.
In an update on October 22, Reddy said he had spoken with the Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Forest Department officials to obtain details of the incident and issued instructions aimed at preventing a recurrence.
Following the incident during the Shivamogga Dasara Jambusavari, I spoke with the DC, SP, and forest officials over the phone to gather complete details. From next year, elephants must undergo 20 to 30 days of mandatory training under experienced mahouts and cavadis before Jambusavari.
— Ramalinga Reddy (@RLR_BTM) October 22, 2026
Training before Shivamogga Dasara Jambusavari
The minister said experienced mahouts and cavadis must conduct mandatory training for the elephants for 20 days to a month ahead of the procession from next year. The preparation must help the animals become physically and mentally accustomed to crowds, the sound of musical instruments and the festive procession environment.
The directions focus on preparing elephants before they are brought into a crowded public event. Reddy said public safety and animal welfare would both receive priority.
Health and mental condition to be checked
Elephants should be assigned procession duties only after their health, mental state and capacity have been thoroughly examined, according to the minister’s instructions.
Reddy described Dasara as more than a cultural programme, calling it an expression of public faith and tradition. He said precautions were necessary to ensure that celebrations did not place people at risk.
Follow-up to the Somanna incident
The directions follow the October 21 Shivamogga Dasara procession incident, when the silver ambari carried by Somanna fell, damaging the Chamundeshwari idol and injuring the mahout. The procession was halted.
As reported earlier, Forest Department staff and veterinary officers reached the scene and Somanna was restrained after a tranquiliser was reportedly administered. Police cleared the area and controlled the crowd.
Somanna had been assigned the ambari-carrying responsibility in place of elephant Sagar, who was reported to have leg pain. It was Somanna’s first time carrying the ambari in the procession, according to the earlier report.
The minister’s latest statement sets out preventive measures for future processions. It does not establish the precise cause of Somanna’s behaviour or provide a fresh medical update on the elephant or the injured mahout.
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