MYSURU, India (AP) — The spectators were getting restless after hours of waiting when a drizzle began. But an announcer over scratchy loudspeakers urged them in Kannada, the language of India's Karnataka state, to be patient for a little longer.
Finally, around midafternoon, a loud cheer rose through the crowd when elephants came into view at the head of a procession.
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Abhimanyu, a 58-year-old elephant, carries on its back an idol of Chamundeshwari, the Hindu goddess also known as Durga, in a golden howdah, during a procession on the last day of Hindu festival Dusshera, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Visitors watch illuminated Amba Palace, a major tourist attraction, as part of the celebrations on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts make a decorated elephant lift its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists perform during a cultural show part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant lifts its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Drones fly to create an image of an elephant during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Lakshmana Dassaru, center, dressed in the character of Hindu god Rama, waits backstage with his fellow artists before their performance at a theater during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts ride decorated elephants as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists carry burning torches as they perform during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A mahout helps an elephant drink water while giving it a bath on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A boy films leather puppets, used in a shadow play, on display at a theater during the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A musical band performs in front of Amba Palace during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
People stand behind barricades to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Devotees walk with a decorated elephant to participate in prayers during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists hold Trishuls or tridents as they wait to perform during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, center, the titular head of the Wadiyar dynasty, walks with his aides to participate in prayers ahead of a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A military cadet tries to calm down a crying child who was waiting with his elders for hours during rains to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant painted in multihued motifs is prepared to participate in Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Amba Vilas Palace is lit at the twilight on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts bathe elephants on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Abhimanyu, a 58-year-old elephant, carries on its back an idol of Chamundeshwari, the Hindu goddess also known as Durga, in a golden howdah, during a procession on the last day of Hindu festival Dusshera, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Ragavendra MS, descendant of a former minister of Mysore's royal kingdom, poses with decorated elephants on the eve of the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
As if on cue, the rain became heavier, but the thousands of people watching seemed unperturbed. This was the spectacle they had been waiting for — the grand event Saturday in the historic city of Mysuru marking the 10th and final day of the annual Dussehra festivities.
One after another, as the 11 elephants draped in bright silken sheets passed by the spectators, each animal raised its elegantly painted trunk in greeting.
They were followed by floats with tableaux flaunting anything from technological milestones to folk culture and architecture. In between the floats were dancers and performers, some in elaborate costumes performing classical dances, others beating drums and enacting scenes from Hindu mythology.
The procession culminated when a tall, majestic-looking male elephant arrived, flanked by two shorter females.
The 58-year-old elephant, Abhimanyu, was decked up regally and carried in a golden seat on its back an idol of Chamundeshwari, the Hindu goddess also known as Durga. Legend has it that the seat, a howdah, weighs 750 kilograms (1,650 pounds) with 80 kilograms (176 pounds) of gold leaves covering its wooden structure.
Despite the weight, Abhimanyu shuffled forward effortlessly, his feet making almost no sound on the street. All the elephants used in the procession were trained to be able to walk among vehicles along noisy streets.
Animal activists have long objected to ceremonial uses of elephants, citing distress in the animals caused by crowds and noise.
Chamundeshwari is the principal deity of the Wadiyar royal family, the former rulers of the Mysore kingdom, now known as Mysuru. The elephants were sent from the royal courtyard of the Amba Vilas Palace by the now-symbolic rulers with prayers and showering of flowers as their ancestors have done for more than 400 years.
The Mysuru Dussehra celebrates the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the goddess, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In other parts of India, people celebrate the victory of Hindu god Rama over the demon king Ravana on this day.
The festivities continued until the evening and when the elephants returned to the palace, it had been lit with almost 100,000 electric bulbs, illuminating the contours of its impressive architecture.
Visitors watch illuminated Amba Palace, a major tourist attraction, as part of the celebrations on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts make a decorated elephant lift its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists perform during a cultural show part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant lifts its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Drones fly to create an image of an elephant during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Lakshmana Dassaru, center, dressed in the character of Hindu god Rama, waits backstage with his fellow artists before their performance at a theater during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts ride decorated elephants as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists carry burning torches as they perform during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A mahout helps an elephant drink water while giving it a bath on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A boy films leather puppets, used in a shadow play, on display at a theater during the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A musical band performs in front of Amba Palace during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
People stand behind barricades to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Devotees walk with a decorated elephant to participate in prayers during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists hold Trishuls or tridents as they wait to perform during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, center, the titular head of the Wadiyar dynasty, walks with his aides to participate in prayers ahead of a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A military cadet tries to calm down a crying child who was waiting with his elders for hours during rains to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant painted in multihued motifs is prepared to participate in Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Amba Vilas Palace is lit at the twilight on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts bathe elephants on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Abhimanyu, a 58-year-old elephant, carries on its back an idol of Chamundeshwari, the Hindu goddess also known as Durga, in a golden howdah, during a procession on the last day of Hindu festival Dusshera, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Ragavendra MS, descendant of a former minister of Mysore's royal kingdom, poses with decorated elephants on the eve of the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ezekiel Elliott played for the Dallas Cowboys a week after he was left home for disciplinary reasons, and the running back had a costly fumble in the first half of a 34-6 loss to NFC East rival Philadelphia on Sunday.
Elliott fumbled into the end zone with the Cowboys in position to take a lead on the Eagles in the second quarter. Philadelphia's Cooper DeJean recovered the fumble.
“I think the guy just, you know, got his helmet on the ball,” said Elliott, who had 22 yards rushing for an offense that generated just 146 total, the fewest at home for Dallas since AT&T Stadium opened in 2009. “That’s unacceptable, fumble in the red zone. It’s disgusting, makes my stomach hurt.”
A two-time rushing champion for the Cowboys in his first seven seasons, Elliott returned to his original team this year but didn't make the trip for last week's 27-21 loss at Atlanta because he was late for meetings.
It was the first time Elliott was a healthy scratch for Dallas in any game other than a meaningless regular-season finale.
“I’m not really trying to get too much into it,” Elliott said when asked about the discipline in his first meeting with reporters since the Atlanta game. “Just putting my best foot forward.”
Dallas trailed the Eagles 7-3 when Elliott fumbled, but got another chance when Micah Parsons sacked Jalen Hurts and forced a fumble recovered by Marist Liufau.
Elliott got the first carry from the Philadelphia 6-yard line and gained 3 yards. After an incompletion, starting running back Rico Dowdle lost 2 yards on a run, forcing the Cowboys to settle for a field goal.
The fumble by Elliott was the second of five turnovers for the Cowboys. They had the same number in their previous home game, a 47-9 loss to Detroit.
“I think the main thing is taking care of the football,” Elliott said. “I think the defense did a great job of going to get the ball. Offense, we didn’t take care of it well enough.”
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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) recovers a Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott fumble in the end zone in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) fumbles the ball as he's hit by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)