Rs 15-crore insurance cover for golden howdah

The price of gold may have come down per gram, but the insurance cover for the golden howdah this year has nearly doubled from Rs nine crore to Rs 15 crore.

As the Jamboo Savari (elephant procession), the grand finale of Nada Habba Dasara scheduled for October 4 draws closer, the district administration has insured the howdah for the whopping amount, considered the highest ever since it was initiated a decade ago.

According to Somanatha Rao, senior branch manager of New India Assurance Company Limited, Nanjangud, the government-owned company that has bagged the tender this year, the insurance cover was provided based on the valuation given by the district administration.

Key attraction

The howdah weighing 750 kg, the key attraction during Jamboo Savari, has been protected with insurance cover for four days from October 2 to 5. 

The premium for this year is Rs 93,000 as per the agreement under the public liability insurance of the howdah. The policy covers theft and damage of any type to the antique, burglary, accidental and transit cover.

According to another source, last year the howdah was insured for Rs nine crore. In the initial years, the howdah was covered for Rs two crore with Rs 50,000 as the premium amount, which was later increased to suit the prevailing conditions and the valuation done by the district administration.

The howdah, kept at the Amba Vilas Palace throughout the year, is taken out only once in a year for Jamboo Savari. 

It is considered to be among the several priceless antiques, along with the golden throne at the palace.

The howdah, originally built in wood, is covered by gold plates with the interiors designed to accommodate three persons, including the Maharaja, during the princely rule.
 Now, the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari is taken out in the howdah during the procession.