Shivamogga: Shivamogga hosted the Dasara procession led by the tusker Sagar on Thursday.Shivamogga district minister Madhu Bangarappa launched the Dasara procession amidst drizzle at 2.30pm. The minister, along with Shivamogga MLA SN Channabasappa and other dignitaries, offered prayers to the Nandi Dhwaja in front of Shivappa Nayaka’s summer palace on Kote Road. Later, they paid floral tributes to the Goddess Chamundeshwari.“As the district minister, this is my third year participating in Dasara, and this year’s celebrations are more grand than last year’s,” Madhu said.Three elephants—Sakrebailu, Bahadur, Balanna, and Sagar—participated in the procession. Sagar carried a silver howdah on his back with the idol of the goddess. The procession passed through Ramanna Shresti Park, Gandhi Bazaar, Shivappa Nayaka Circle, Nehru Road, T Seenappa Setty Circle, Durgigudi, and Jail Road to the old jail premises. The procession went on till night.The silver howdah weighed around 450kg. A special bed weighing around 200kg was placed to ensure the elephant’s safety and prevent the howdah from slipping, taking a cue from the authorities in Mysuru. Elephant Sagar carried around 650kg of weight during the procession.According to DCF (wildlife) Prasanna Patgar, Sagar has participated in Shivamogga Dasara 15 times. This is the fifth time he carried the howdah. A huge crowd gathered to witness the procession.
