Authorities are advising the public to be considerate of their actions to prevent any disturbance to the elephants, who will be staying in the city until the Dasara celebrations come to an end. The countdown to Dasara has officially begun in Mysuru, with the city's renowned Dasara elephants starting their rehearsals for the grand Jamboo Savaari procession. This procession will cover a five-kilometre route through the main roads of the city, starting from the palace and ending at Bannimantap grounds. Throughout this period, the elephants are getting accustomed to the various noises from vehicles, loudspeakers, firecrackers, and cannons through acclimatization exercises conducted twice daily in the morning and evening. Spectators gather to watch the elephants, with the number of attendees increasing on weekends as people eagerly capture photographs of the procession led by the Howdah elephant, Abhimanyu. Authorities are urging the public to be mindful of their behavior to avoid disturbing the elephants during their stay in the city until the end of the Dasara festivities. Here are some guidelines for observing the Dasara elephants: - Follow the directions of the mahouts and Kavadis, who are knowledgeable about elephant behavior - Maintain a safe distance to allow the elephants to move freely on their designated path - Avoid crossing the road in front of the elephants - Refrain from taking photos or videos directly in front of the elephants while they are in motion - Avoid honking, as it may startle the elephants - Offer flowers to the mahouts instead of throwing them directly, so they can place them appropriately on the elephants - Do not feed the elephants directly - Do not follow the elephants What is the Jamboo Savaari? The Jamboo Savaari is the grand procession that takes place on Vijayadashami, the final day of the Dasara festival. It features adorned elephants, colorful floats, and performances by various cultural troupes.