MYSURU: The grand finale of the Mysuru Dasara — Jamboo Savari was held with spectacular fervour on Thursday, with lakhs of spectators thronging the procession route in the city, along with nearly 45,000 spectators inside the palace alone, who braved both the scorching mid-day Sun and an unexpected drizzle that followed.
Before the procession commenced, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and their cabinet colleagues, performed the Nandi Dhwaja Puja in front of the Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple. The much-awaited Vijayadashami procession began, following in royal splendour. Even as hats were distributed among attendees inside the palace, the weather changed gradually, followed by a drizzle. But the weather could do little to dampen the spirits of the performers, as well as the spectators, who filled the Mysuru Palace courtyard and lined the 5-km Rajamarga route, up to the Bannimantap grounds.
More than 4,000 folk artistes enthralled the gathering, which was treated to a visual feast as 58 dazzling tableaux rolled out in the procession, narrating the rich cultural, social, and historical stories of the state.
From government schemes like Shakti Yojana, Anna Bhagya, Khadi Promotion, and Industrialisation, to heritage landmarks and conservation efforts such as Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Pollution Control initiatives, the tableaux reflected a perfect blend of tradition and progress, besides highlighting the message of Mahatma Gandhi, with the procession marking Gandhi Jayanti.
Adding to the grandeur were electrifying performances by cultural troupes, including Goravara Kunitha, Kombu Kahale, Jaggalagi Mela, Jade Kolata, Pata Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha, Huli Vesha, Somana Kunitha, Halage, Sattige Kunitha, Kamgolu Kunitha, Kamsale, Hikkipikki Dance, Chenge, Urume, Sarapani dance, and women’s drum ensembles. Troupes from Tamil Nadu, and Coastal Karnataka added diversity and colour, drawing applause at every turn.
The spotlight, however, was on Abhimanyu, the majestic 60-year-old tusker which carried the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in the 750-kg Golden Howdah for the sixth and final time. As Abhimanyu strode proudly through the crowd, thunderous cheers erupted, making the moment truly unforgettable with slogans of ‘Jai Chamundeshwari’ echoing in the palace grounds. The idol, brought earlier in the day from the Chamundi Hill temple and placed inside the flower-adorned howdah, became the spiritual core of the entire celebration.
Siddaramaiah, along with Shivakumar, and ministers Shivaraj Tangadagi, Dr HC Mahadevappa, scion of erstwhile Mysuru royal family and BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, and other dignitaries offered floral tributes to the Goddess, as Abhimanyu carried her in the golden seat of glory at around 4.45 pm in the auspicious Kumba Lagna. As the Sun started to set and lights dimmed over the palace, the procession wound to a close at Bannimantap, for a grand torchlight parade.