Sharp nails, screws and other metal objects on the Dasara procession route have become a serious threat to the safety of elephants during the rehearsal for the Jamboo Savari. The staff accompanying the rehearsal parade clear the surface of 20-30 sharp objects daily, keeping a sharp eye on the road.
The staff are cautious as they say that the pointed objects could harm the elephants if they stamp on it. Their worry is not without reason. In 1996, Drona, the then howdah carrying elephant, had stamped on a 2-inch nail during a rehearsal, hurting its foot.
Luckily, the incident took place a few days after the elephants arrived in the city, giving enough time for treatment. Antibiotics were administered and the elephant was rested for four days, after which it stopped limping and stood straight.
Sources said that though sharp objects are negligible objects given the mammoth size of the elephants, it could inflict damage that could last a long time. “We need to be more alert as the days pass on and the Jamboo Savari nears. If anything untoward happens, it will have serious implications on the tradition,” said a mahout.
The six-and-a-half km procession route is normally a busy road where such objects may fall off vehicles. The presence of a couple of mechanics and tyre puncture shops on the roadside multiply the risks. The mahouts and kavadis say that Mysore City Corporation should clean the route every day to ensure the safety of the elephants. “They do it only on the day of the Jamboo Savari fearing that any spiking would wreak havoc among the crowds,” said a mahout.
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