History
Balarama was caught in 1987 in the Kattepura forest near Somwarpet, Balarama has taken part in the Dasara procession since 1994, carrying the golden howdah for a record thirteen times. A very silent Bull (as against the normal Elephants). He is said to be an introvert, and has to have special training so he can withstand the firing of canons that occurs during the festival.
He succeeded Elephant Drona as the carrier of the Golden Howdah.
He was not the first choice to carry the Howdah after Drona, Elephant Arjuna who was supposed to be the lead Elephant was sidelined for accidentally killing his Mahout. One day Arjuna went to bathe in a river with his buddy Elephant Bahadur and Bahadur's trainer Annayya. While crossing a road, the elephants were startled by a vehicle and in the chaos that ensued, the rider Annayya fell down to the ground, only to be stamped on the his head by Arjuna. He was crushed to death. People opined that an elephant that had killed a man was unfit to carry the religious duties of Dasara. So Arjuna, while being as capable as Drona, never got to be the bearer of the prestige. He was first used at the Bandipur National park for capturing Poachers, but nowadays he is used as the carrier of the golden carriage at the Dussehera Festivities. Arjuna had the honour of carrying the Chinnada Ambari only once before being replaced by Elephant Balarama. Rumours are that Elephant Balarama will retire in the near future and he will be succeeded by Elephant Arjuna, a 44 year old bull weighing 5,600 kilograms (12,000 lb).
Balarama's Mahout Sannappa once refused to mount Balarama after his family were stopped by the police from watching him ride during Dasara.
Balarama refuses food given to him by anybody other than his Mahout. Balarama weighs about 4950 Kilograms and he conquers the hearts of human beings by his majestic looks and the silence that he possess. He is looked after at the Morkal Elephant camp at Nagarahole national park and his previous mahout Sannappa has retired and his new master Thimma has taken over. At 53 years he still looks strong tough his weight has reduced over the years. A royal elephant he is indeed.
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