Curtains came down on the 11-day Mysuru Dasara celebrations with the grand Jamboo Savari on Wednesday, as a sea of humanity thronged the city centre to catch a glimpse of the iconic Vijayadashami procession, marking the culmination of the cultural extravaganza.
All roads led to the City of Palaces for the Dasara finale, with the famed golden howdah and caparisoned elephants emerging as the cynosure of all eyes. The colourful and awe-inspiring celebrations drew lakhs of visitors.
Nandi Dhwaja puja
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues and local elected representatives, set the stage for the Dasara procession by performing the customary ‘Nandi Dwaja’ puja at the Balarama Gate of the palace around 1.40 p.m.
The puja was followed by the ceremonial procession of elephants, with veteran tusker Abhimanyu featuring as the ‘Nishane Ane’, followed by eight other caparisoned elephants guided by their mahouts. The procession began around 2.20 p.m.
This was Abhimanyu’s final Dasara appearance following his retirement from active Dasara duties on attaining the age of 60. His participation marked a ceremonial farewell to the legendary tusker, whose admirers and animal lovers had sought a fitting send-off in recognition of his contribution to the festivities. Abhimanyu had carried the golden howdah for six consecutive years.
Cultural grandeur
Other elephants in the contingent included Gopi, Mahendra, Lakshmi, Sugreeva, Chaitra and Srirama. As the elephants moved along the procession route amid loud cheers from the crowds, cultural troupes and tableaux arrived one after another, showcasing Karnataka’s cultural diversity and heritage. Artists representing different art forms from across the State and tableaux representing various districts captivated the spectators.
Tableaux from other States, including one from Tamil Nadu showcasing the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram and Jallikattu, were among the special attractions this year. Cultural troupes from the Northeast and a Tibetan settlement in Karnataka also participated.
Sandalwood plays a part in festivities
Another highlight was the participation of a team from the Kannada film industry, including V. Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Ganesh, Pooja Gandhi, Shruthi, Sharan, Murali, among others. Veteran actor Jaimala led the team of artists in two open-top buses, drawing loud cheers from their fans. Actor ‘’Kiccha’’ Sudeep was also present. Medal-winning sportspersons from the State joined the procession in another open-top bus.
Tableaux representing the Indian Army and Navy attracted considerable attention, while bands from the defence forces played stirring tunes as the procession moved along the route.
After nearly two hours of cultural pageantry, the most eagerly awaited moment came with the arrival of 54-year-old tusker Prashanth carrying the iconic golden howdah bearing the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. The flower-bedecked, 750-kg howdah was the centre of attraction as Prashanth entered the palace forecourt, accompanied by kumki elephants Kaveri and Roopa.
After flagging off the Jamboo Savari, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar offers flowers to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari seated in the 750-kilo golden howdah carried by tusker Prashanth in Mysuru on Wednesday (October 21). | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram
Keralam, Telangana CMs
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, joined by his wife, Usha Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, flagged off the grand Jamboo Savari, showering flowers on the idol from the elevated rostrum.
Mysuru MP and scion of the erstwhile royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Ministers Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Shivaraj Tangadagi, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy and Police Commissioner Seema Latkar were among those present.
The flag-off was followed by a 21-cannon salute, as Prashanth, his debut Dasara as ‘’howdah’’ elephant, and the accompanying kumki elephants raised their trunks, delighting the spectators.
Foreign delegates were among the special invitees this year to witness the procession. They were welcomed by the Chief Minister.
Prashanth marched majestically amid affectionate cheers from the crowds, raising his trunk as he made his way out of the palace premises and onto the procession route. Massive crowds had lined the streets, particularly around Chamaraja Circle and K.R. Circle, since morning to catch a glimpse of the golden howdah and the majestic elephants, bringing the curtains down on the grand Dasara celebrations.