Karnataka   

Ten-day Dasara celebrations in Mysore end on a spectacular note

MYSORE: A slice of the royal orient unfolded to a sea of humanity as the caparisoned elephants led the Jamboo Savari or the Vijayadashmi procession to mark the grand finale of the 10-day Dasara festivities here on Sunday.

Bringing the curtains down on the “Naada Habba,” the Vijayadashmi procession, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and a tradition inherited from the Vijayanagar emperors, rolled out of the palace premises complete with ensemble of folk troupes and caparisoned elephant Balarama at the rear carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

An event that showcased the cultural diversity of the State rich with diverse folk art forms, the procession was preceded by special prayers at “Nandi Dhwaja” near the Balarama Gate around 2.10 p.m. where Governor Rameshwar Thakur offered worship and prayed for the welfare of the people.

He then reached the palace premises and climbed on to the specially erected podium to make floral offerings to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari carried in the golden howdah by Balarama, flanked by the “kumki” elephants Revathi and Kanthi. This signalled the beginning of the Jamboo Savari.

As the 21-gun salute boomed in the background and the cannon gunfires were sounded, the police band played the national anthem, and Balarama, Revathi and Kanthi raised their trunks spontaneously in a gesture of salute that won the admiration of the large crowd on the palace premises.

The cultural diversity of the State was showcased by way of 22 tableaux and 67 cultural troupes that participated in this year’s Dasara celebrations. Led by ace equestrian S.G. Mariba Shetty mounted on a steed, the procession commenced with the march past by the armed police personnel followed closely by the mounted police and the colourful “Nishane” and “Naupat” elephants of the palace symbolising the royal insignia.

The lead artiste narrates the story surrounding the “Daksha Yajna.” This art form is popular in Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Chitradurga and Dharwad districts.

Among the notable tableaux featured in the procession were the ones by the Tourism Department which displayed historical sites with dancers performing in them, while the palace tableau depicted the contribution of Mysore to the art and culture of the State. The cynosure of all eyes was Balarama who conducted himself with grace and dignity befitting the occasion, ably supported by 11 elephants from the jungle camps, trained specially for the occasion. Normally, the procession is flagged off by the Chief Minister, but in view of the political situation in the State, the Governor took on the mantle this year.

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