Mysuru, Oct. 21 -- In a reflection of Mysuru's longstanding tradition of religious harmony, the golden howdah elephant Prashantha and kumki elephants Kaveri and Roopa visited the Hazrat Imam Shah Wali Dargah in Chamaraj Mohalla on Tuesday evening, a day before the grand Dasara Jamboo Savari.

The elephants arrived at the dargah amid preparations for the Vijayadashami procession at the Mysuru Palace. Hundreds of people gathered to witness the occasion, with devotees raising slogans in praise of Sufi saint Imam Shah Wali and Goddess Chamundeshwari.

The annual visit is said to have continued for nearly 85 years. According to local accounts, the tradition began during the reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, when an elephant participating i...