ENARADA, Mysore, October 14, 2013:
The ten day famous dasara fetivities, known for its grandeur which, culminated today with impressive ‘jamboo savari’(procession) that was watched by lakhs of people.
When compared to last several years, highest number of people approximately 6 lakhs had gathered to watch ‘Jambo Savari’ bringing the curtains down on the ‘naada habba’, the vijyadashami procession symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The tradition inherited from the vijyanagara emperors, the event showcased the cultural diversity of the state’s rich heritage with diverse folk art forms.
The two km long procession began with karnataka chief minister Siddramiah performing pooja to the tradtional ‘nandi dhawaja’ in front of the Mysore palace.
One hundred twenty two units formed for the procession that included more than 60 troupes of folk dancers, cultural artists, musicians, a number of platoons belonging to police force, various bands and 40 tableaux, was led by nadaswara arists.
For the first time the cultural tropes drawn from Manipuri, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Kerala besides Russian artists were part of the procession showing their culture and tradition.
Showcasing the cultural diversity of the state, in all 42 tableaux offered a glimpse of the art and culture of Karnataka while the folk troupes with the rhythmic beat of the percussionists infused an element of zest to the procession.
Soon after 21 gun salute and National Anthem, Chief minister offered jasmine , Kanakambari and Sugandaraja flowers to goddess chamundesdwari, the presiding deity of this heritage city. Later the goddess was placed in the 750kg golden howdah on tusker Arjuna in front of the Mysore palace.
The majestic 52year old tusker was flanked by its mate’s sarala and Varalakshmi , the dozen pachydreams that took part in the procession were tastefully decorated and proved to be the cynosure of all eyes.
Folkdances of pooja kunitha, suggi kunitha, kolata, pata kunitha, kuli vesha,chit mela, kamsale,chitki bhajane ,dollu kunitha, jagga kelige kunitha,gaarudi puppet and other artists entertained the huge crowd that was seen on the either sides of the roads and those climbed on buildings and other high-rise places all along the route.
Mysore city police, for the first time used an unmanned aerial vehicle (uav), also known as a drone, for the aerial surveillance of the 5-km procession route in order to monitor the entire events.