Four elephants in race to replace ailing Shyamu for Mahakal procession

Times News NetworkUjjain: Four female elephants, Malti, Suma, Vijay Lakshmi and Faseel, are being considered to replace Shyamu for this year's Lord Mahakal procession after the elephant, which has carried the Manmahesh swaroop for nearly a decade, was diagnosed with a degenerative joint disorder.

The final selection will be made after veterinary fitness tests and approval from the wildlife high-power committee.The annual Shravan-Bhadon processions of Lord Mahakal begin on Aug 3, with the elephant traditionally carrying the Manmahesh swaroop from the second procession on August 10 until the final royal procession. If Shyamu is declared medically unfit, one of the four elephants currently housed in Ujjain will be selected for the remaining processions.Officials said Shyamu is suffering from degenerative joint disease affecting her hind legs. A medical examination has already been conducted and the report submitted to the wildlife high-power committee for a final decision. The elephant had also been kept on complete rest for a month following veterinary advice."We have submitted the medical examination report to the high-power committee. Further action will be taken once directions are received.

The selection will be based on the elephant's health, fitness and ability to safely carry the ceremonial howdah through crowded procession routes," said Vikram Singh Solanki, SDO, Forest Department.The tradition of including an elephant in Lord Mahakal's procession dates back several decades. Before 1980, elephants belonging to Vaishnav akharas participated in the procession. Later, the elephant Ramu carried the deity for around 35 years before retiring due to age-related ailments. After Ramu's death in 2016, Shyamu took over the role and has been part of the annual procession ever since.