You must have heard that the pet animals are the protectors. If you have ever had a pet, you can relate. This hypothetical instance clearly reminds us of the most lovable, adorable, and charismatic Arjuna Elephant. He was the living legend of Mysuru Dasara. Mysuru is a grand festival that stays in your memory forever, even if you only see it in images. The vibrant colours, the sheer majesty, and the sound of the trumpet appeal to both eyes and ears. And above it all is the giant who carried the whole festival on his shoulder – literally.
He is the one and only – The Arjuna Elephant.
He was not just an animal but was a symbol of courage, strength, calm, and royalty. But unfortunately, we lost this magnificent soul in 2023. Let’s learn more about the life of Arjuna, his incredible powers, and his tragic final moments.
The True Size of a King
Arjuna was one of the tallest, strongest, and heaviest elephants in the entire forest department camp. When he walked down the streets of Mysuru, the earth feels heavy, as if it is shaking.
- Weight: Arjuna weighed around 5,800-6,040kg or 6 tons when he was healthy. During the time of the annual weight check at the Dasara festival, Arjuna was weighed as the heaviest elephant among all.
- Height: Arjuna was the tallest of all elephants, towering at about 2.95 meters (9 feet 8 inches).
Due to the unbelievable strength and massive build, the Arjuna Elephant was chosen to carry the Golden Howdah during the Mysuru Dasara procession. Carrying the Golden Howdah (Ambari) was an honour. It is the golden carriage made of pure gold, which is carried on the back of the elephant during the climactic Jamboo Savari. This carriage weighed around 750kgs. It was flawlessly carried by Arjuna for 8 years, from 2012-2019.
How Did Arjuna Elephant Die?
Arjuna Elephant’s death was a heartbreak for millions of people living all over the world. But do you know what the best thing was? He didn’t die of old age in a forest, but died just like a warrior on the battlefield, saving others.
In December 2023, Arjuna was taken by the forest officials to help in an operation. It was an operation to capture the wild tusker that was causing terror in the villages of the Yeslur Range in Sakleshpur. This elephant was very aggressive and on high testosterone.
During the operation, the wild tusker attacked the forest department officials. The other trained elephants stepped back in fear. But Arjuna Elephant stood his ground to protect his friends and the forest officials. These two giants faced a fierce battle. Arjuna suffered deep, fatal wounds to his stomach and trunk from the wild elephant’s sharp tusks and tragically succumbed to his injuries within minutes.
While there were initial rumours and allegations of a botched operation or bullet injuries, forest veterinarians later confirmed that his death was strictly due to the brutal injuries sustained in the fight with the wild tusker.
How Old Was Arjuna When He Passed Away?
It is said that elephants live for a very long period of time. And Arjuna died after a very long period of serving the people of Karnataka.
Arjuna lived a good life of 64 years. He was born in the wild, lush Kakanakote forests of the Western Ghats in 1959. He was captured from the Khedda operation in 1968. Khedda operations are a historical method used to capture wild elephants in Mysuru (Karnataka state, India). It was founded by British naturalist G.P. Sanderson in 1873 and was banned in 1972.
Arjuna, the elephant, was already 64 years old and had retired from all positions. His legacy was passed down to Abhimanyu. But because of his strength and the trust people placed in him, the forest department still relied on his presence for high-stakes tiger and elephant tracking operations.
Quick Facts About Arjuna
| Feature | Details |
| Species | Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) |
| Role | Led the Mysuru Dasara Procession (2012–2019) |
| Peak Weight | ~6,040 kg (Over 6 Tons) |
| Date of Death | December 4, 2023 |
| Age at Death | 64 Years Old |
| Home Camp | Balle Elephant Camp (Nagarhole) |
Arjuna elephant left a legacy that cannot be forgotten. In his earlier days, he was an intelligent and fierce creature known for having a bit of a temper. But under the care and training, he was turned into a gentle and helpful elephant, who was loved by the people of Karnataka.
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We will always remember him as a fearless creature who died saving others.
Rest in peace, Arjuna. You served your people well.