Daijiworld Media Network – Mysuru (DC)
Mysuru, Oct 20: Curtains fell on the traditional 10-day Dasara festivities here on Friday October 19, with an impressive 'Jamboo Savari' watched by tens of thousands of people, marking the grand finale.
The event showcased state's cultural heritage resplendent with folk art forms, as 'Arjuna' led other richly embellished elephants through the more than 5 km route.
Thousands of people from the city and tourists from outside the state lined up the streets as Arjuna carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a 750 kg golden howdah wound its way majestically from the grand Mysuru palace to the terminating point.
The celebrations were inaugurated on October 10 by Infosys president Sudha Murthy in Chamundi hills. On Friday, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy kick-started the Jumbo Savari by offering Nandi pooja. Later chief minister showered petals on Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the historical city.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar, district in-charge minister G T Deve Gowda, DC Abhiram G Shanker and city police commissioner Dr A Subramanyeshwara Rao were present.
A dozen caparisoned elephants took part in the procession which included troupes of folk dancers, cultural artists, musicians and tableaux.
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of the Mysuru royal family and adopted son of Pramoda Devi did not join the celebrations following the death of Putta Chinnammani, mother of Pramoda Devi.