MYSORE: Thousands of people, including foreign tourists, witnessed a colourful Vijaya Dashami procession that marked the end of the Dasara festival on Monday.
Although rain had affected the nine-day festival for the past two days; the skies were clear on the day of Vijaya Dashami. The atmosphere was electric and people gathered in large numbers.
They walked with the procession from the Mysore Palace to Bannimantap grounds in what was a spectacular display of Karnataka’s cultural heritage.
The turnout was huge; larger than the previous year. People, desirous of witnessing the procession, were stuck in traffic. Many were seen, trying to see the procession, atop tall buildings. Some climbed trees.
The crowd — with folded hands — prayed at the sight of Goddess Chmundeshwari. Everybody cheered the folk troupes.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, District In-Charge Minister Shobha Karandlaje; Ministers Ramachandre Gowda, P M Narendra Swamy, R Ashok and other dignitaries entered the Palace through the Jayamarthanada gate.
The Chief Minister offered Nandi Puja to the howdah-carrying elephant Balarama.
In his message, Yeddyurappa said that his government would make all efforts to celebrate Dasara “more grandly” in the future. He also prayed for peace and prosperity of the state.
Scion of the erstwhile Mysore royal family Srikanatadutta Narashimaraja Wadiyar inaugurated the Vijaya Dashami procession. He offered flowers to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari — placed on the 750 kg Golden Howdah — carried by elephant Balarama. This was followed by a 21-gun-salute. A police band played the National Anthem to mark the beginning of the procession.
A cultural extravaganza
There were around 97 “cultural troupes”, including 1,800 folk atistes and 40 tableaus. The tableaux’s stressed on social harmony and showcased the development and welfare programmes taken by the state government.
The harmony tableaux comprised models of Tippu Sultans’ summer Palace, an ox, St Mark’s cathedral church in Bangalore and social reformers Basavanna and Akkamahadevi.
The Dharwad district’s tableaux paid tribute to musicians Gangubai Hangal, Mallikarjun Mansoor, Savahi Gandharva, Basavaraju Raj Guru and Pandit Bheemsen Joshi.
The Health Department tableaux on Swine flu, the Women and Child Welfare department emphasis on women empowerment, the education department’s focus on Sarva shiksha abhiyan and eradication of Devadasi system focussed on Government programmes. While, Krishnadevaraya’s hampi; Veerupaksha temple, Dattareya temple, Temples, Chitradurga Fort and other tableaus projected the cultural heritage of Karnataka.
Mahout killed by elephant
In a tragic incident, a mahout working for the Mysore Palace died after a palace elephant attacked him September 27, Ayudh Pooja day.
The victim, Ahmed Shariff (36), a native of Sakkere Bailu, Shimoga district, had joined as the mahout four months ago.
The incident happened on Sudnay around 6 a.m., when Shariff was feeding the elephant. The elephant reportedly attacked him with its trunk, causing severe injuries.He was rushed to the K R Hospital, where he succumbed in the afternoon.
The victim is survived by his wife and two children.
CM promises more on Dasara
● Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said that the government would embark on a more elaborate celebration of Dasara, next year.
● After the “Nandi Puja” at Mysore Palace, he said that the Wadiyars have - over the years - made the celebrations grander. The Dasara festival attracts the attention of the world, said the Chief Minister.
● He commended the District-In-Charge Minister, district administration and legislators for the success of the festival.
● “The government has planned Dasara programmes in all the districts and efforts have been made to provide basic amenities to tourists,” said Yeddyurappa.
