Shivamogga City Corporation has decided to carry the idol of Chamundeshwari, placed in a howdah, on a vehicle, instead of an elephant, during the Dasara procession later today.
This decision was taken this morning after one of the elephants, chosen to take part in the procession, gave birth to a baby on the night of October 23.
Three elephants — Sagar, Hemavathi and Nethravathi — were chosen for the Dasara procession in Shivamogga. Of them, Nethravathi gave birth to a baby on Monday October 23 night.
Forest officials did not know that the animal was pregnant. Later, the elephant and its newborn were shifted to Sakrebail camp.
A meeting was held on October 24 morning, which was chaired by MLA S.N. Channabasappa. Participants included Mayor S. Shivakumar.
The meeting resolved that elephants Sagar and Hemavathi would take part in the procession, but the statue would be carried in a decorated vehicle instead of an elephant.
The procession will start at Seetharamanjaneya temple around 2.30 p.m.
