Thousands of people Saturday thronged this cultural capital of Karnataka to witness the grand finale of the Dasara festival, as the famous victory procession of caparisoned elephants (jamboo savari) passed through main roads from the illuminated royal palace to Bannimantap ground across the city, amid tight security.
Marking the 10-day festival on Vijayadashmi (victory day), symbolising triumph of good over evil, the procession was led by jumbo Arjuna, carrying the idol of Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari in the 750 kg golden howdah (chariot), followed by a dozen decorated elephants, camels, cavalry on horses, about 70 troupes comprising folk dancers and music bands and 45 colourful tableaux, depicting the various socio-cultural aspects of the state.
Celebrated as the state festival (nada habba) with royal patronage, the finale, however, was subdued in the absence of scion Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who passed away Dec 10 in Bangalore, about 150 km from here.
The royal family members, including scion's widow Pramoda Devi did not participate in the finale as they are under the year-long mourning period and remained in the confines of the palace.
As head of the state government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flagged off the victory procession by offering flowers tributes to the goddess at the main gate (Nandi Dhwaja) of the Amba Vilas Palace at the auspicious 'Dhanur Lagna' between 1:01 p.m.-1:30 p.m..
District Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, Cooperation Minister H.S. Mahadevaprasad, PWD Minister H.C. Mahadevappa and several lawmakers were present on the occasion.
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The grand finale culminated with a torchlight parade at the Bannimantap ground in the presence of Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Siddaramaiah, his cabinet colleagues and other dignitaries.
"About 600,000 people have gathered in the city from across the state and country to watch the grand procession," Mysore Police Commissioner M.A. Saleem told reporters later.
Security was stepped across the city to ensure peaceful celebrations, with about 8,500 policemen deployed at vantage points on the procession route and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at inter-sections to maintain heightened vigil.
Three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a helicopter were flown over the city to monitor the royal procession in real time.