Agency report

Mysore, Oct 3:  The city celebrated Dasara with fervour on Monday. The celebrations culminated in the Jumboo Savari, grand finale of the 10-day festival and it was watched by lacs of people.

The Vijaya Dashami festival coincided with the 137th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

The Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy offered puja at the Nandi Kamba at the Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple and jasmine flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of this heritage city. The goddess was placed on tusker Balarama, carrying the 750-kg golden howdah in front of the imposing Mysore Palace, the starting point.

The majestic 48-year-old tusker was flanked by its mates Kanthi and Mary. The dozen pachyderms that took part in the procession were tastefully decorated and proved to be the cynosure of all eyes. Nadaswara artists led the procession that included 30 troupes of folk dancers, cultural artists, musicians, a number of platoons belonging to NCC and police force, various bands and 22 tableaux.

Soon after the 21 guns boomed the procession moved on its five km journey to Bannimantap on the main thoroughfares of the city. After a bright sunshine in the afternoon, which gave a perfect start to the procession, rain clouds threatened but mercifully stayed back.

The tradition of the grand finale to Dasara festivities originated during the Vijayanagaram Empire and later passed on to Wadiyars of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom. The golden period of Dasara celebrations began with the arrival of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the benevolent prince who worked for development of Mysore.

The state government later made the celebrations as 'Nada Habba' (State festival) and continued the traditions but gave a modern look to it to attract tourists from outside.

The Vijay Dashami procession is very famous as it is steered by the royal family of Mysore. The royal family of Mysore performs special pooja on the occasion of Dasara. During Dasara, the entire City is gaily decorated and illuminated. The Palace and other important buildings are illuminated. Cultural programmes by famous artists are arranged in the Palace along with Sports, Wrestling, Poet's meet, Food Festival, Film Festival witnessed by a large number of people.