Mysuru (Karnataka), Oct 21 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, arrived in Mysuru with his family on Wednesday to participate in the historic Jamboo Savari procession marking the culmination of the grand Dasara celebrations. He was accorded a guard of honour at Mysuru Airport.
It can be noted that the Jamboo Savari is the grand grand finale of the 10-day Mysuru Dasara festival on Vijayadashami. It features an idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed inside a 750-kg golden howdah carried by a lead elephant, marching 5 km from Mysore Palace to the Bannimantap Grounds amidst folk troupes and tableaux.
The main attraction is the sacred idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari carried in a golden howdah (Ambari) mounted on the lead elephant. The colorful cultural troupes from various districts, state and military tableaux, police bands, and marching contingents will be procession highlights. The procession concludes at Bannimantap in the outskirts of the city with the traditional Torchlight Parade (Panjina Kavayat).
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy are attending the event.
Speaking to the media after his arrival, CM Shivakumar extended his wishes to people witnessing the Dasara festivities and prayed for the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
“Those from across the country and international visitors witnessing the grand Dasara celebrations today should receive the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari. May the goddess remove all sorrows from their lives and ensure that good things happen to everyone. This is my wish,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the celebrations had received widespread publicity through live telecasts and social media, with young people creating reels and sharing them online, taking the festivities beyond national borders.
He said Mysuru had witnessed a large influx of visitors, resulting in a shortage of accommodation. Several hotels and rooms in Mysuru, neighbouring Madikeri district and areas at the entrance to Bengaluru were fully occupied, causing inconvenience to visitors.
CM Shivakumar said the authorities had made arrangements to manage traffic during the celebrations. He also expressed satisfaction over the Indian Air Force’s air show and the drone show, which, he said, had helped create a memorable experience for visitors.
He said feedback from people attending Wednesday’s celebrations would be important in assessing the arrangements and improving the conduct of future events.
Referring to the traditional Kambala buffalo race, the Chief Minister said it had also received a good response. His ministers and legislators had informed him about the positive reception to the event, he added.
Shivakumar sought the cooperation of the media in ensuring the successful conduct and wider coverage of the Dasara festivities.
–IANS
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