The 10-day Mysuru Dasara celebrations ended with the famed Jamboo Savari here on Saturday. The procession is the most-awaited event of Dasara, the flagship festival of the State.
Tens of thousands of people had gathered on the palace premises and along the 4-km procession route from the palace to Bannimantap Grounds to get a glimpse of the procession.
People started occupying their seats on the palace premises from morning itself to watch the cultural pageantry that began in the afternoon. Those who did not have passes, gold cards or tickets for watching the procession climbed up buildings, and also trees, along the route to witness the spectacle.
As many as 41 tableaux and 50 cultural troupes from across the State were part of the procession.
Puja to Nandi Dhwaja
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who arrived on the palace premises along with some of his Cabinet colleagues and party MLAs in a bus, offered puja to Nandi Dhwaja at 2.15 p.m. Speaking to presspersons later, he referred to the recent rains and said this had eased drinking water problem.
The Chief Minister was later driven to the palace in an open vehicle, and thereafter the procession took off.
As Veerabhadra Kunita and Nadaswara artistes hit the procession, the caparisoned Naupat and Nishane elephants began their march. They were followed by troupes of artistes performing Dollu Kunita, Jaggalige Mela, and Tamate Nagari. The pulsating drumbeats energised the ambience as cultural troupes enthralled the sea of humanity with their performances.
Among the tableaux, the one by the Kannada and Culture Department on Shravanabelagola which will host the Mahamastakabhisheka next year; Janapada Siri of Chamarajanagar district; and the the one by Tourism Department on the historical importance and the wildlife stood out.
Tableaux depicting Hampi’s historical monuments, with the stone chariot at the centre stage; Yediyur Siddalingeshwara of Tumakuru district; contributions of Mysuru maharajas for social justice (by Mysuru district); and historical places in Hassan district, and those spreading the message on cleanliness, lake conservation, and recycling of water were also part of the procession.
Artistes performing Chande Mela, Beesu Kamsale, Puja Kunita, Pata Kunita, Karadi Majalu, Jhanz Pathak, Somana Kunita, Hejje Mela, Malnad’s Suggi Kunita, and Veeragaase stole the show. Performances by Kudure Kunita, Garudi Gombe, Hagalu Vesha, and Maragalu Kunita artistes were the other highlights.
Rains take a break
The rains, which affected Dasara festivities on most days this year, spared the Vijayadashami procession. Several people had turned up with umbrellas for the procession.
Women figured prominently in several folk troupes that performed at the procession. They were were also part of the Bhangra troupe from Punjab that lent diversity to the procession.
