Huge crowds witness Dasara procession

The Rain gods showered their blessings on Mysore and gave the Dasara procession a respite from the rains.

With the sun shining bright, an huge enthusiastic crowds witnessed the 90-minute long Vijaya Dasami procession of Goddess Chamundeswari, the deity of the royal city of Mysore, on Sunday.

Accompanied by his wife, Governor Rameshwar Thakur offered pooja to the Nandi Dhwaja, the flag staff with the sacred Nandi carried by dancing men to the beats of the drums, in front of the twin Balarama and Jayarama entrance of the Palace at 2.05 pm, 15 minutes behind schedule. Soon after, the famous Dasara procession began to march.

Seventeen minutes later, the governor showered petals at the idol of Goddess Chamundeswari, placed in the golden howdah, atop the tusker Balarama, who was accompanied by two female elephants, one on each side, standing atop a temporary platform in front of the Palace, as the guns heralded the march of the main attraction of the Vijaya Dasami procession.

Speaking to reporters soon after inaugurating the procession at the Palace Gate, Thakur hoped that the Dasara festival would bring happiness and prosperity to the people of Karnataka.

Prior to the Nandi Dhwja, 44 vintage cars the lead attraction for the huge Sunday gathering, the oldest of them being a 1909 model of Wesley.

Besides, Balarama with his two kumkie elephants, the other old attractions of the procession were the big wooden carriage drawn by an elephant with a police band unit playing music seated inside, the mounted guards in uniforms and about half a dozen decorated elephants, and old gun carriages.

Rest of the items in about 80 items chiefly comprised of tableaux from different districts of the State and colourful folk dance troups, including a group of Tibetans performing mask dance and Karate enthusiasts.

Over 25 folk troupes went through the procession performing one dance or the other with varieties of folk musical instruments.

Among the 17 tableaux those which won the crowds appreciation were the BEML's 'Viswa Shanti Sandesha' Zilla Panchayats of Mysore and Tumkur, Department of Information, and Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt.

The last minute police failure to control the surging mob at the Chamaraja Circle and the slow movement of the procession items held up the procession at Chamaraja Circle.

The Chamundi idol carrying Balarama and his two female associates have stand aside near the Curzon Park for a few minutes until the way was cleared.