Dasara Gajapayana begins: Elephants centre of attraction in Nada Habba

As Karnataka prepares for the state festival of Nada Habba Dasara, the Gajapade, the Dussehra elephants group which carry the Ambari, have started their ceremonial journey - the Gajapayana. A traditional farewell ceremony was held at Veeranahosahalli by worshipping the Gajapade.

Mysore (Karnataka):The state festival, which is known as Nada Habba Dasara, is going to take place at Mysore this month. In the season festival of Dasara, The elephants which carry the Ambari (mandap made of gold holding the idol of the Goddess) are the centre of attraction. A traditional farewell ceremony was held at Veeranahosahalli by worshipping a Gajapade (Dussehra elephants group) who are going to participate in a simple Dussehra Mahotsav this year due to COVID-19.

Gajapayana

The arrangements for Dasara festival has begun in Mysore and the five elephants which are involved in the 'Jamboo Savari' have started the Gajapayana (Elephant's Journey) on Thursday from Veeranahosahalli.

Gajapayana

In the wake of coronavirus, it has been decided to celebrate the state festival in a simple and traditional manner. Elephants Vikram, Vijaya, Gopi and Kaveri, led by Abhimanyu, are driven for the Utsav. But no delegates were invited for the program for the first time in the wake of coronavirus.

Abhimanyu-led Gajapade will be arriving at the Mysore Forest Bhavan on Thursday and will stay there for the night. On Friday morning they will be welcomed by minister S. T. Somashekhar in Dhanur Lagna. They will enter the palace province through Jaya Marthanda Dhwara.