Part of the Dussehra procession since 1994, Balarama started carrying the howdah in 1999, the year after Drona, the elephant who had been carrying the howdah for 18 years, died.

2012-10-16 - Mysore, India
Balarama is a veteran of the stables behind the Mysore Palace, and a bit of a celebrity. The elephant’s fame hasn’t come easy. This star of Mysore has carried the golden howdah that weighs 750kg in the yearly Dussehra procession for 13 years. Known for his gentle temperament and patience, Balarama has an active fan following in Mysore, a Wikipedia entry and even a book on him, titled Balarama: A Royal Elephant, which is written and illustrated by Ted and Betsy Lewin.

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