Mysore Dussehra elephant Balarama passed away, emotional Modi!

Balarama (67), an elephant who used to walk 14 times carrying a golden ambara during the world famous Mysore Dussehra festival, died due to illness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Dussehra elephant. For many years, Gajaraja Balarama was an important part of Mysore's traditional Dussehra celebrations. People remember him carrying the idol of Mother Chamundeshwari. He was loved by countless people. Saddened by his passing. Om Shanti" tweeted Modi in Kannada and expressed his condolences.

Balarama was being treated at the Bhimanakatte elephant camp in the Hunasuru range of the Nagarahole park. But the treatment failed and Balarama breathed his last.

Balarama, the elephant who died at the Bhimanakatte elephant camp, was cremated there with full government honours. Everyone was emotional during Balarama's last rites. Puja was performed ritually. Especially Balarama's mother and the nursing staff were moved to tears.

ಹಲವು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ, ಗಜರಾಜ ಬಲರಾಮ ಮೈಸೂರಿನ ಸಾಂಪ್ರದಾಯಿಕ ದಸರಾ ಆಚರಣೆಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿದ್ದನು. ಅವನು ಚಾಮುಂಡೇಶ್ವರಿ ಮಾತೆಯ ಮೂರ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊತ್ತಿದ್ದನ್ನು ಜನರು ನೆನಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವನು ಅಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಪಾತ್ರನಾಗಿದ್ದನು. ಅವನ ಅಗಲಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ದುಃಖವಾಗಿದೆ. ಓಂ ಶಾಂತಿ. pic.twitter.com/lUfqXE0WR6

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 8, 2023