The famous Mysuru Dasara 'Jamboo Savari', a spectacular Vijayadashami procession, is underway in the city of palaces. Celebrated as ‘Nada Habba’ (state festival), the Dasara or ‘Sharana Navaratri’ festivities this year have been a grand affair, showcasing Karnataka’s rich culture and traditions in royal pomp and glory.Today's procession marks the grand finale of the 11-day iconic Mysuru Dasara celebrations. Thousands of people are expected to witness the ‘Jamboo Savari’—a march of a dozen caparisoned elephants led by ‘Abhimanyu’, carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, on a 750-kg golden howdah or 'Ambari'.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and dignitaries, including scion of erstwhile Mysuru royals, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, will flag off the procession by showering flowers on the idol during the auspicious 'Kumbha Lagna' between 4.42 pm and 5.06 pm.Twenty-one cannon shots will mark the arrival of Abhimanyu, flanked by ‘Kumki’ elephants, and dignitaries will offer flowers from a specially set-up dais. The Dasara procession on Vijayadashami symbolises the victory of good over evil. Historically, the king rode in the howdah, accompanied by his brother and nephew, with Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar being the last royal king of Mysuru to do so. Today, the tradition continues with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari carried in the 750-kg howdah — a wooden core covered with 80 kg of gold.
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