No passes, no problem: Dasara fans find their vantage points

Such is the public fascination with the Jamboo Savari that people without passes or tickets to watch the procession from within the Mysuru Palace premises began reserving seats along the stepped viewing galleries at Bannimantap, along the procession route, as early as four days before the Dasara finale.

The stepped galleries, stretching from Bamboo Bazaar to the Highway Circle, were created years ago to facilitate public viewing of the procession. With thousands expected to throng the route to catch a glimpse of the grand spectacle, people went all out to secure their preferred spots well in advance.

Mats and carpets were spread across the steps to mark their chosen places and prevent others from occupying them. People took turns guarding their spots, keeping watch from dawn to dusk and through the night to ensure that their vantage points remained undisturbed.

This year, however, trees and heritage buildings along the route were out of bounds for spectators, with the police taking strict measures to prevent people from climbing them on safety grounds.

The enthusiasm was evident even during rehearsals in the run-up to the finale, when large crowds gathered along the route to watch the elephants.

The eagerness to witness the iconic procession translated into a massive turnout on Vijayadashami, with people jostling for space along the route to catch a glimpse of the caparisoned elephants and the golden howdah.