Mysuru, Sept. 26 -- The first wooden howdah rehearsal was interrupted as a result of sudden heavy rains in city.

The Forest Department, as part of the preparations to this year's Jumboo Savari, mounted the wooden howdah on one of the Dasara jumbos, Mahendra.

While the elephants were heading towards the Palace North Gates, the sudden cloudburst disrupted the proceedings as Mahendra refused to move further. Though, its Mahout and Kavadi tried their best, the elephant did not move any further.

The 42-year-old Mahendra from Balle Elephant Camp in Nagarahole, had previously carried the wooden howdah with ease in the previous years. Mahendra has also the experience of carrying the wooden howdah during Srirangapatna Dasara.

Speaking to Star ...