Mysuru, Oct 12 (DHNS): The grandeur and in pomp of the annual Mysuru Dasara were on full display, despite initial fears of the ongoing Cauvery river row dampening the festivities.

Compared to the previous years, the crowds were less, thanks to tourists from Tamil Nadu and Kerala not turning up to witness the gala event this season. But definitely, the response was overwhelming and beyond expectations.

On Tuesday, people braved the rain to witness the Jamboo Savari, the grand finale of Dasara, on the premises of the Mysuru Palace and also along the Raja Marga up to Bannimantapa.

Crowds started pouring in since Friday evening and made the Jamboo Savari a success. According to the police department sources, around three lakh people had descended on the palace premises and along the Jamboo Savari route. They include the residents of the city, rural areas of the district and the neighbouring districts as well. Rain has been associated with Dasara. Elders say it at least drizzles on Vijayadashami even if a dry spell had prevailed.

However, Tuesday’s rain – which started minutes before the puja to the Nandi dwaja till the offering of floral tributes to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in the golden howdah – was the heaviest on a Vijayadashami day, at least in recent years.

The day began with bright sunshine, but there was no expectation of rain as there was a dry spell for the past couple of months. However, it rained heavily between 1.50 pm and 2.10 pm.

When the downpour receded to a drizzle, the procession began with Veeragase Kunitha and Naadaswara, followed by the Naufath and Nishane elephants. Balarama, predecessor of howdah-carrier Arjuna for over a decade, was the Nishane (the path-bearer) elephant.

The elephants, folk artistes and those involved in the tableaux started moving in the rain, amid cheering by the spectators.

The final spell of rain started around 4.45 pm and slowed down by 5 pm, when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered floral tributes to the ‘utsava murthy’ of Goddess Chamundeshwari around 5.05 pm.

A 21-round gun salute, with the cannons of the palace, was offered on the occasion.
Siddaramaiah was accompanied by District in-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa, Mayor B L Bhyrappa, in-charge Regional Commissioner M V Jayanthi, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep and Police Commissioner B Dayananda.

By the time Arjuna carrying the idol of Chamundeshwari adorned in the golden howdah reached the North Gate of the palace near the Chamaraja Circle, it was 5.15 pm. It was followed by the KARP Mounted Company and cannon carts.

The procession reached Bannimantapa around 7 pm. The traditional torchlight parade, without firecrackers and laser show, was conducted at the Bannimantapa Grounds at 8 pm.