Mysuru Dasara: Countdown begins for traditional Jumbo Savari

Team Udayavani, Oct 8, 2019, 10:06 AM IST

Mysuru: The cultural capital of the state is all decked up for its traditional Jumbo Savari or procession of well-decorated elephants carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a golden Howdah on Vijayadashmi.

The district administration reviewed all the facilities arranged ahead of the event. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will flag the famous 4 kilometre-long procession after performing puja to the Nandidwaja in front of Mysuru Palace.

The main festivities will take place in the golden howdah of the goddess Chamundeswari.

A total of 39 portrait floats will participate in the Jamboswari parade. Folk singers and dancers from various parts of the country have arrived in the state to participate in the Dasara festival. Tourists including foreigners are eager to witness the ‘Jamboo Savari’ parade. In order to ensure smooth conduct of ‘Jamboo Savari’, Mysore Police has planned to deploy hundreds of police personnel in several parts of the city.

Jambo Savari marks the culmination of ten-day-long festivities in the state, celebrated along with Navratri festival.

The famous 10-day long Dasara festivities commenced in the palace city of Mysuru on September 29, amid festive and religious fervour. Celebrated as ‘Nada Habba’ (state festival), the festivities began with prominent writer S L Bhyrappa and Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa showering flowers on the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru royals, atop Chamundi Hill.

In the Mysuru palace, the Navaratri celebrations kicked off with Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of Mysuru royal family, dressed in grand attire, conducting Khasagi durbar (private durbar) by ascending the golden throne, amid chanting vedic hymns. This was preceded and followed by traditional rituals. His courtiers too were decked in traditional outfits.

Dasara was celebrated by the rulers of the Vijayanagar empire and the tradition was inherited by the Wadiyars. Festivities were first started in Mysuru by the Wadiyar King, Raja Wadiyar I in the year 1610.