Mysore Dasara 2024: The Mighty Rope That Controls the Elephants – Unveiling the Unique Preparation Process!

Here’s a detailed look into the unique preparation process and the significance of this sturdy rope.

By Gaurav Santosh Sep 30, 2024, 12:10 IST

Mysore Dasara 2024 is on the horizon, and all eyes are on Abhimanyu, the majestic elephant set to carry the golden howdah. Among the many preparations for this grand festival, one of the most vital is the creation of a special rope used to control the elephants and secure the howdah. Crafted with precision and care, this rope is made by skilled artisans during their leisure time. Here’s a detailed look into the unique preparation process and the significance of this sturdy rope.

Special Rope for a Special Occasion: For the Mysore Dasara, the rope used for handling elephants is meticulously crafted from specific materials to ensure safety and durability.

Material Selection: The process begins with selecting sabai grass sticks, which are soaked in water for about a week. This soaking helps soften the wood, making it easier to work with.

Transformation into Rope: After soaking, the sticks decay to a certain extent. They are then beaten to remove extraneous elements, resulting in fibrous strands similar to a rope.

Braiding Technique: Hundreds of these strands are braided together to create a strong, resilient rope that is exclusively used during the Dasara festivities. No other type of rope is utilized for this purpose.

Safety and Grip: The uniquely crafted rope is preferred because it does not harm the elephants' skin and offers an excellent grip, ensuring the animals are held securely without discomfort.

Operations Involving Elephants: This rope is not only used for carrying the howdah but also plays a crucial role in securing the elephants during various ceremonial operations.

Artisan Craftsmanship: The preparation involves teamwork among artisans, as they take their time to create ropes of varying sizes and strengths according to specific needs.

Timely Preparation: These ropes are prepared well in advance, ready for use during the Dasara celebrations, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day of the festivities.