Mysore/Mysuru: Lakhs of people gathered in Mysuru yesterday to witness Jumboo Savari, a traditional procession that is part of Nada Habba Dasara celebrations. Led by the majestic elephant Abhimanyu and eight other elephants, the procession was the highlight of the 10-day festivities in the City of Palaces.

The Navarathri celebration featured a series of events, including music concerts at Palace premises and Chikka Gadiyara, Poets’ meets, Kannada book exhibition, Film Festival, Yuva Dasara, Yuva Sambhrama, exhibitions, Flower Show, Aahara Mela, Raitha Dasara, wrestling contests, sports events and much more, all culminating in the Jumboo Savari from Mysore Palace.

People from all over flocked to Mysuru to be a part of this royal extravaganza and the city came alive with various events that showcased the rich art, culture and tradition of the region.

Mysore Palace premises was packed to capacity, with the number of attendees surpassing the passes issued for the event. The procession route from the Mysore Palace to Bannimantap was equally crowded. The procession commenced after the traditional Nandi Dhwaja Puja, which was conducted by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, outside Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the Jayarama Gate of the Palace during the auspicious Makara Lagna at 1.50 pm.

108 Dhwajas from Tumakuru 

A group from Udigala’s Sri Gourishankar Nandi Dhwaja Sangha, led by Mahadevappa, carried the Dhwaja. For the first time, 108 Dhwajas were carried by 408 artistes from Sri Guru Siddarameshwara Sene in Tumakuru, attracting the attention of onlookers. Following this, the Veerabhadra Kunita, performed by Veeragase artistes, added to the colourful cultural display.

The CM, accompanied by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and Ministers Shivaraj Tangadagi and Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, along with Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Prasanna B. Varale, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra, City Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth, Mayor Shivakumar and the scion of the erstwhile Mysore royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, showered flower petals on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed inside the Golden Howdah (Ambari), while the elephant team and others paid their respects. This ceremony took place at 5.09 pm in the auspicious Meena Lagna, with Howdah elephant Abhimanyu being flanked by Varalakshmi and Vijaya. The national anthem was played during flower shower and a 21-round cannon salute was accorded, marking Abhimanyu’s fourth Jumboo Savari.

Before showering flowers on the Goddess, CM Siddharamaiah, accompanied by Dy. CM D.K. Shivakumar and other Cabinet colleagues, arrived in a KSRTC Airavat bus to greet the crowds gathered at Chamaraja Circle for a glimpse of the procession. 

Despite seating arrangements being made for around 25,000 people in the Palace premises to witness Vijayadashami procession, the entire campus was jam-packed, with all enclosures fully occupied by 1 pm as people sought the best view to watch the procession.

Rich cultural pageantry 

The cultural pageantry unfolded as the procession began, starting with the majestic march of caparisoned Nishane elephants led by the veteran Arjuna, accompanied by Bheema, Gopi, Mahendra, Dhananjaya, and Prashantha. The procession featured tableaux from all the districts and various Government Departments and institutions, totalling 49. 

Furthermore, several folk art forms enriched the cultural experience, with the sound of drums and other instruments resonating throughout the Palace and its surroundings. Cultural troupes, including Kombu Kahale, Dollu Kunita, Jhanz Pathak, Somana Kunita, Lambani dance, Donnevarase, Puja Kunita, Koli Nruthya, Veeragase, Hakki-Pikki Dance, Tamate-Nagari, Malenadu Suggi Dance, delighted the audience.

The procession reached Bannimantap at 7.30 pm and Abhimanyu showed no signs of exhaustion, remaining as lively as when he began the procession. After the conclusion of the procession, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot received the ceremonial guard of honour and launched the Torchlight Parade at Bannimantap Grounds.

The 10 days leading up to this grand culmination were filled with a rich tapestry of cultural events and illuminations that adorned the Palace, major roads, Circles and buildings across Mysuru.

More than 10 lakh witness Dasara: CM

The State Government’s Shakthi free KSRTC bus travel for women has brought more than 10 lakh people for this year’s Dasara. The tableaux have disseminated the Government’s plans and programmes. We have celebrated a traditional Dasara without any extravagance in the face of severe drought that is being faced by the people. I have offered floral obeisance to Goddess Sri Chamundeshwari, placed in Golden Howdah and carried by elephant Abhimanyu and I have prayed for the welfare of the people of Karnataka and for rain so that at least the existing crops survive.” — Siddharamaiah, Chief Minister, Karnataka