Gajapayana sets Dasara festivities in motion

Folk and cultural troupes performing during Gajapayana of Dasara elephants at Veeranahosahalli on the outskirts of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: M. A. Sriram The Gajapayana of the first batch of Dasara elephants was flagged off at Veeranahosahalli on the outskirts of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur taluk on Wednesday, marking the formal beginning of preparations for the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festivities.Nine specially decorated Dasara elephants were accorded a traditional welcome at Veeranahosahalli before embarking on their journey to Mysuru, where they will camp and undergo training for nearly two months ahead of the grand Jamboo Savari on the Dasara finale.The event was witnessed by hundreds of locals and tribal people from neighbouring hamlets and w