Mysuru: Dasara is grandly celebrated in Karnataka every year. This year, due to the Covid pandemic, the event will be a simple affair. The main attraction of the event — the Jumboo Savari which is held over a distance of five kilometres, will only be conducted up to 500 metres this year.
The Jumboo Savari is headlined by elephants which are trained for two months and fed very well. They carry the idols of various deities as they lead the procession. The Karnataka government handles the responsibility of organising the Dasara festivities and it is the state festival or 'Nada Habba'. The event is generally held from Mysore Palace to Banni Mantapa and the elephant procession covers a distance of five kilometres every year. This year it will only be held up to a distance of 500 metres.
Before the kidnapping of celebrated Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar by the dreaded bandit Veerappan 17 years ago, the Jamboo Savari used to be held in areas surrounding the Mysuru Palace but now it is held within the confines of the Palace.
The procession this year will carry two tableaus from the state government which will propagate awareness about Covid-19 and speak about the achievement of the state government.
Programmes Scheduled on the Day of Jumbo Savari:
On the 26th of October, the Jamboo Savari will be held from 2.59 pm to 3.20 pm during the Shubha Makara Lagna Muhurta. CM Yeddyurappa will inaugurate the programme by paying obeisance to the Flag of Nandi in Mysore Palace. On the auspicious occasion of Shubha Kumbha Lagna, between 3.40 pm and 4.15 pm, the golden Ambari (Howdah) weighing 750 kg will be carried by the lead elephant Abhimanyu. Later the idol of Chamundeshwari Goddess will be offered Pusparchane (flowers) by the CM.
