The stage is set for the grand finale of Mysuru Dasara with the caparisoned elephants all geared up for Jamboo Savari to mark Vijayadashmi on Tuesday. A slice of the royal orient will unfold to a sea of humanity when the elephants march from the palace, followed by the tableau depicting the cultural diversity of the State.
This will be followed by the torchlight parade and a display of equestrian events by the police personnel at Bannimantap Grounds, which will bring the curtains down on the 409th edition of the Mysuru Dasara.
Events
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa will perform the puja to the Nandi Dhwaja between 2.15 p.m. and 2.58 p.m., after which the procession with the elephants and the tableaux will roll out. Elephant Arjuna with the golden howdah will begin his march between 4.31 p.m. and 4.57 p.m. to bring curtains down on the 10-day Nada Habba, to witness which tourists and locals alike will flock to Mysuru.
(From left) A hot air balloon ride being held; the illuminated K.R. Circle; classical dancers performing on the palace premises; and athletes taking part enthusiastically in a half-marathon in Mysuru on Sunday.
Governor Vajubhai Vala will receive the guard of honour and witness the torchlight parade, which will commence from 7 p.m.
Arjuna, accompanied by 11 other elephants, has gone through 40 days of rehearsal for the procession, a routine they undergo every year ahead of the festival so as to get acclimatised to the route and the din and noise of the crowd.
The final rehearsal concluded on Sunday, complete with 21 rounds of gun salute.
The last 10 days saw the city awash with lights and a slew of cultural programmes. For a city whose economic fortunes also hinge to a large extent on the tourism sector, Dasara has emerged as a fulcrum and is a money spinner for the stakeholders.
(From left) A hot air balloon ride being held; the illuminated K.R. Circle; classical dancers performing on the palace premises; and athletes taking part enthusiastically in a half-marathon in Mysuru on Sunday.
Though the origins of the Dasara is rooted in mythology, Mysuru Dasara has historical association with the rulers of the Vijayanagar empire. For, the Wadiyars of Mysuru inherited the cultural practices of the Vijayanagar rulers, and Nada Habba is a continuation of the grand tradition.
The private Dasara of the Wadiyars, which is conducted for 10 days in the palace complete with the khas durbar and religious rites, will also come to an end on Tuesday.
Security has been intensified for the Jamboo Savari and the city police have deployed more than 8,000 personnel besides commando forces and KSRP units, while the Intelligence agencies have spread their dragnet wide as a precautionary measure.
