The two-hour-long Dasara procession, the finale of the 10-day cultural extravaganza sponsored by the state government, attracted huge crowds at the palace premises and the Banni Mantap procession route today.
The holiday crowds that descended from the neighbouring districts created traffic snarls in the last two days on the main arterial roads around the palace, particularly in the evenings to witness the ongoing celebrations and the gaily lit Mysore, its buildings and roads.
Inaugurating the procession by performing pooja to the ‘Nandi Kambha’, which leads the procession at the auspicious 12.53 pm at the Balarama Gate of the Palace, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said Dasara in Mysore which was revived by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, would be further made attractive to draw more tourists to Mysore.
He said more tourists had come to witness the Dasara celebrations. The government has spent Rs 6 crore over this Dasara illuminating more streets and buildings, arranging more cultural programmes than last year.
Yeddyurappa expressed happiness that rains had not let down the state as apprehended and on the other hand the reservoirs were full now. “I will pray for more prosperity,” he said.
Later, accompanied by scion of Mysore royal family Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, district In-charge minister Shoba Karandlaje and mayor Purshotham, he showered petals on the idol of the Mysore’s reigning deity, Goddess Chamundeswari, placed in the 750-kg gold howdah on the richly decorated 51-year-old Balarama who was accompanied by two kumki elephants, Sarala and Mary on either side.
The absence of leaders of opposition parties and even leaders and ministers of the BJP government was conspicuous. Even some local leaders including BJP legislators were absent.
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Reflecting more of the cultural diversities of Karnataka, the procession reminded the old Dasara grandeur when a few royal items like gun carriages, elephant drawn carriage with musicians rendering devotional music, ‘Adda Pallakki’ or cross palanquin, Pancha Kalasha, sacred elephant and sacred horse, mounted guards and colourfully decorated dozen elephants passed by the huge crowds.
Rest of the procession comprised over 50 cultural troupes and 30 tableaux, highlighting the unique cultural and historical features of different districts in the state.
A couple of eye-catching tableaux were Veeranarayanaswamy Temple, Chikamagalur, Sarvajna Murthy, Bangalore, Kodagu’s heroes, Sarvashikshana Abhiyan, Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, 75th anniversary of Krishnarajasagar, ‘Manushya Jathi Thanonde Kulam, Department of Information, KSRTC transport services, and Nandi Statue.
Similarly, there were new folk troupes like the Jhanj Pathak from Bagalkot, Khasbedara Kunitha from Davangere, Tibetan Dance from Bylakuppe in Mysore district, peacock dance from Dakshina Kannada, Kamgilu Kunitha from Mangalore, Mullu Kunitha from Bagalkot, and Kodava dance, men and women of Kodagu district in their district dresses.
Police force, KSRP mounted guards in their royal finery, band units and Nadaswara musicians were also part of the procession.
The police were partially successful in their bid to make the procession more disciplined by trying to avoid unwanted in the procession. Security was tight in and around the Palace with CCTV camers, metal detectors and Central Industrial Security Force personnel manning the entrances.
The torchlight parade at Banni Mantap grounds later in the day, where Governor H R Bharadwaja will take salute at the marchpast followed by a variety of events will bring the curtains down on one more Dasara in Mysore.