In Mysuru’s R Gate, Elephant Figurines Showing Jumbo Savari Attract Tourists

The primary attraction of the Mysuru Dasara festival is the Jumbo Savari, where elephants carry an ambari (a canopied seat). Getting a close-up view of this grand procession is a rare opportunity. Now, at the R Gate of Mysuru city, you can stand beside the elephants carrying the ambari and capture a selfie. A beautiful representation of a jumbo ride, created by the Municipal Corporation, can be seen at the Gate Circle in Mysuru. It features an elephant carrying an ambari, and two elephants standing next to it. Many people are gathering to take selfies with these figurines.

The Jumbo Savari procession on Vijayadashmi this year will see restrictions imposed on the Mysuru Palace premises to manage the crowd. This year, the procession will feature just five elephants and will be confined to the palace premises, rather than going through the main streets of the city. Regrettably, the popular Food Mela and Yuva Dassara events will not be held. However, cultural programs held in front of the illuminated palace each evening will be broadcast live through electronic or social media channels.

Naada Habba, the ten-day Dasara celebration, was recently started in a traditional manner. Noted cinema lyricist and music director Hamsalekha initiated the festivities by offering floral obeisance to the idol of Goddess Sri Chamundeshwari Devi. The goddess was adorned in a parrot green saree with a pink border and placed in a silver chariot atop Chamundi Hill in Mysuru. This auspicious ceremony took place at 10.18 am on a Sunday, accompanied by the harmonious sounds of Mangala Vaadya. Before this, Hamsalekha also performed a special puja to the Goddess.

Hamsalekha was accompanied by several dignitaries, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Mysuru district in-charge minister H C Mahadevappa, Minister for Kannada and Culture Tangadagi Shivaraj Sangappa, as well as Ministers K Venkatesh and K J George. Also in attendance were Mysuru Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, Mayor Shivakumar, Deputy Mayor G Roopa, and various other officials and leaders.