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| Balarama | |
|---|---|
| Species | Elephas maximus (Asian Elephant) |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | c1958 (age 53–54) |
| Years active | 1994- |
| Notable role | Lead Elephant of the Mysore Dasara procession |
| Predecessor | Elephant Drona |
| Owner | Mahout Thimma |
| Weight | 4950 Kilograms |
Balarama is the lead elephant of the world famous Mysore Dasara procession and carries the statue of goddess Chamundeshwari on the fabled Golden Howdah. Balarama is a bull born c1958 (age 53–54)and is accompanied in the procession by other Dasara Elephants. Of the many(about 16) elephants participating, Balarama is the star attraction as he carries on his back the sacred idol of goddess Chamundeshwari in the 800 kilograms (1,800 lb) golden howdah on the auspicious 10th day of Dasara celebrations.
History [link]
Balarama was caught in 1987 in the Kattepura forest near Somwarpet, Balarama has taken part in the Dasara procession since 1994, carrying the golden howdah for a record thirteen times.A very silent Bull(as against the normal Elephants).He is said to be an introvert, and has to have special training so he can withstand the firing of canons that occurs during the festival.
He succeeded Elephant Drona as the carrier of the Golden Howdah.
He was not the first choice to carry the Howdah after Drona, Elephant Arjuna who was supposed to be the lead Elephant was sidelined for accidentally killing his Mahout. One day Arjuna went to bathe in a river with his buddy Elephant Bahadur and Bahadur's trainer Annayya. While crossing a road, the elephants were startled by a vehicle and in the chaos that ensued, the rider Annayya fell down to the ground, only to be stamped on the his head by Arjuna. He was crushed to death. People opined that an elephant that had killed a man was unfit to carry the religious duties of Dasara. So Arjuna, while being as capable as Drona, never got to be the bearer of the prestige.He was first used at the Bandipur National park for capturing Poachers,but nowadays he is used as the carrier of the golden carriage at the Dussehera Festivities. Arjuna had the honour of carrying the Chinnada Ambari only once before being replaced by Elephant Balarama.Rumours are that Elephant Balarama will retire in the near future and he will be succeeded 'Ironically' by Elephant Arjuna(a 44 year old Massive Bull weighing 5600 kg).
Balarama's Mahout Sannappa once refused to mount Balarama after his family were stopped by the police from watching him ride during Dasara.
Balarama refuses food given to him by anybody other than his Mahout.Balarama weighs about 4950 Kilograms and he conquers the hearts of human beings by his majestic looks and the silence that he possess.He is looked after at the Morkal Elephant camp at Nagarahole national park and his previous mahout Sannappa has retired and his new master Thimma has taken over.At 53 years he still looks strong tough his weight has reduced over the years.A royal elephant he is indeed.
References [link]
- Balarama: A Royal Elephant, Ted & Besty Lewin, Lee & Low Books, 2009-08-01, ISBN 978-1-60060-265-8.
External links [link]
https://wn.com/Balarama_(elephant)
Balarama
Balarama (Sanskrit: Balarāma), also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha, is the elder brother of Krishna (an avatar of the god Vishnu) and is regarded generally as an avatar of Shesha. He is also sometimes considered as the Sankarshana form of Vishnu and the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
He may have originated in Vedic times as a deity of agriculture and fertility. In Jainism he is known as Baladeva. He is often depicted with a drinking cup, pitcher, shield and sword.
Early life
Birth and origin
Balarama was a son of Vasudeva. The evil king Kansa, the brother of Devaki, was intent upon killing the children of his sister because of a prediction that he would die at the hands of her eighth son.
Vishnu then impregnated the belly of the goddess Devaki with two strands of hair, one black, one white. To ensure their safety, their essence was transferred before birth to Rohini, who also desired a child. At birth, Krishna had a darker complexion, while Balarama was born fair. The other name of Balarama is Sankarshana, meaning a spirit transferred between two wombs. According to Bhagavata Purana, the name Sankarshana means, "one who brings together two different families" of King Yadu's and King Nanda's dynasties.
Balarama (magazine)
Balarama (literally "Joy of Kids") is an Indian comic magazine published by MM Publications Ltd., of Malayala Manorama group from Kottayam, Kerala in Malayalam-language. It is one of the most largely read comic magazines in India. Starting as a monthly in 1972, it became a fortnightly periodical in November 1984, before finally settling as a weekly in 1999.
Balarama played a major role in the development of children's literature in Malayalam. The magazine also helped to promote reading habit among the Malayalee children. Along with the comics (original or syndicated), the content includes fables, rhymes, literally classics and various puzzles. Much like Disney, most of the artists in Balarama usually work under the restrictions of anonymity. other members of the balarama family include the Balarama Digest a weekly that covers a different general topic in each issue this publication has won critical and public appreciation owing to its rich content and accuracy.
The American comics syndicated by the magazine include Disney comics, Spider-Man, Henry, Batman, The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician.
Balarama (disambiguation)
Balarama is the elder brother of the divine being Krishna in Hinduism
Balarama can also refer to:
