Mysuru (Karnataka): The Mysuru Dasara festival is famous all across the world, and its main attraction is the Jumbo Savari, wherein the elephant carries the 'Ambari' (mantap made of gold holding the idol of the Goddess).
During Navratri, special puja is held in the Mysuru Palace, and on the tenth day, the Jumbo Savari is held in the Palace Street of the city. The Mysore kings have been celebrating the festival for centuries, and now the government celebrates it as a Naada Habba.
Legacy of Mysore Kings' Navaratri:
This year's Dasara will be the 410th celebration in Mysuru. During their reign, the kings used to celebrate the Navratri Festival as Sharannavaratri. The kings used to sit on the Ambari during the elephant procession. The Elephants Biligiri Ranga, Airavatha, Hamsaraj, Chamundi Prasad, and Rajendra, which carried the Ambari and the Kings during the festival, became famous.
The Jumbo Savari procession takes place from the Mysuru palace to Bannimantap of the city. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last King of Mysore, was the last one to sit on the elephant Biligiri. Later, the government started celebrating Dasara as Naada Habba.
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The elephants which carry the Ambari:
According to the tradition of the Mysore Kingdom, Navratri is celebrated for nine days inside the palace, and on the tenth day, Vijayadashami, the Jumbo Savari is held.
The government too is now celebrating the festival as per traditions. On the first Day Of Navaratri, the fest starts with offering puja to Goddess Chamundi Devi and later other events are held inside the palace.
While the elephant Rajendra participated in the Jumbo Savari once, elephant Drona has done so 18 times, elephant Balarama 12 times, and elephant Arjuna eight times. This year, elephant Abhimanyu will carry the Ambari in the Jumbo Savari.
The Speciality of Golden Ambari:
Along with the festival and the Jumbo Savari, the Golden Ambari itself is one big attraction at Mysuru Dasara. The Ambari is completely made with Gold and weighs 750 kilograms. On the Day of Vijayadashami, Ambari is placed on top of the elephant with the idol of Goddess Chamundi. The procession is five kilometres long - from the palace to Banni Mantapa. This Golden Ambari is under the ownership of Raja Wadiyar of the royal Mysore family.
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'Operation Hero' Abhimanyu to carry Ambari: He will be Captain for next 6 years:
The preparations for the world famous Mysuru Dasara have begun. The Forest Department has finalised the selection of five elephants for Dasara. 'Operation Hero' Abhimanyu (elephant) will carry the 'Ambari' this time by leading the Jumbo savari.
Abhimanyu was helping in various operations to capture wild elephants and tigers. This time Abhimanyu, got an opportunity to carry the Ambari with the idol in it.
Abhimanyu is mild-tempered but strong at work. Even wild elephants and tigers are said to be afraid of the elephant. Abhimanyu, who has captured over 110 elephants and more than 40 tigers, is the captain of a troop of elephants in Dasara this time.
Abhimanyu's discipline and majesty has given him the fortune of carrying the Ambari. Preparation for a simple Dasara has begun from the camp. On October 2, Abhimanyu and other elephants of the troop will enter Mysore Palace ground.
Mahout Vasanta trained Abhimanyu in the elephant camp. The 54-year-old Abhimanyu will carry Ambari for the next six years in Dasara. The forest department staff said that this time Vasikram, Gopi, Vijaya and Kaveri elephants will join Abhimanyu in Jumbo savari in a simple Dasara festival.
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