Dasara elephant Gopalaswamy leaves behind jumbo memories
2 min read
Mysuru: Following the death of Dasara elephant Gopalaswamy, Karnataka Forest Department has not just lost yet another camp elephant, but a gentle giant who had all the qualities to play the role of ‘Howdah Elephant’ in the future.
The 39-year-old Gopalaswamy who succumbed to the injuries suffered in a fight with another elephant named Ayyappa in Nagarahole forest, has created a void, that will surely take some time to fill.
He has left behind sorrow and pain, that was too accidental, and elephantine memories that will surely deserve a mention whenever there is a talk of howdah elephant.
Gopalaswamy was the gentle giant known for his calm behaviour, keeping himself cool even if he was disturbed by others, especially in crowd.
During Srirangapattana Dasara held in the year 2021, with minor relaxations from Covid related safety norms, Gopalaswamy was designated to carry the wooden howdah with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari inside. But the flash of pyrotechnique crackers directly hit his forehead, forcing him to turn around and stand still without paying heed to complete the small path of Dasara.
Forest Department was so confident about Gopalaswamy, as he particiapted in the grand Dasara celebrations since 2012. He donned various roles in Dasara, standing distinctly apart among other pachyderms and taking part in the rituals without giving room for any complaints.
During the recent Dasara, elated DCF V Karikalan had also expressed his views that “Gopalaswamy is good and peaceful elephant with majestic personality. He is 9.35 ft tall and weighs 5140 KG. He is capable to carry golden howdah in the future. He has little shyness, but we are tuning him to make him capable enough to captain Dasara in the future”.
Gopalaswamy had created panic among villagers in Sakleshpur taluk in Hassan in 2009. He was captured in Ettur and tamed in Mattigodu elephant camp of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve limits.
Previously Dasara elephant Drona was electrocuted in 1999 and in 2015 Srirama elephant was killed by another Dasara jamboo Gajendra at K Gudi in BRT Tiger Reserve. Now, we have lost Gopalaswamy in a similar tragedy.
– Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
