Mysuru, Sept. 7 -- With an aim to select Ambari elephant, training to carry weight on the Jumboo Savari route began with Dasara jumbo Mahendra carrying 600-kg sand bags on the first day last evening.

The nine Dasara jumbos, which arrived in the first batch, were led near Kodi Someshwara Temple in the Palace premises where Priest S.V. Pralhad Rao performed puja to Gaadhi, Namdha and the elephants.

Soon after, Mahendra, who has been brought from Balle Elephant Camp was led near the Palace, where Gaadhi Namdha was placed on his back and secured with ropes. A cradle-like metal structure was placed on top of Gaadhi Namdha, tied it securely and sand bags, all weighing about 600 kgs, were placed inside it.

With kumki elephants Lakshmi and Cau...