The exercise is designed to help the elephants remain calm when they hear the sound of gunfire during Jamboo Savari. Officials conduct the firing in an open field and repeat it more than once so the animals can become accustomed to the loud report before the procession.
A 21-cannon salute is scheduled for Vijayadashami after Jamboo Savari sets off from the palace grounds. The familiarisation drill is supervised jointly by Forest Department officials and City Armed Reserve personnel, linking the festival’s ceremonial tradition with preparations for animal safety.
The antique cannons housed in Mysuru Palace were offered puja on Friday ahead of the exercise. Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Deputy Commissioners of Police Sundar Raj and Harsha Priyamvada, along with other officials, attended the ritual.
The sound drill is one part of the wider preparations for the procession, in which the elephants encounter crowds and ceremonial activity. Familiarising them in advance is intended to reduce the risk of a startled reaction when the salute is fired on the festival day.