CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Mysuru. The 11-day Dasara festival in Mysuru, Karnataka, concluded on Wednesday, October 21, with the grand Jamboo Savari.

The main attraction of this year’s event was 54-year-old elephant Prashant, who for the first time carried the nearly 750-kg golden howdah on his back. The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was seated in the howdah. Thousands of people gathered along the roads to watch the historic procession and take part in the celebrations.

Mysuru Dasara is known as Karnataka’s state festival, “Nada Habba”. Its tradition dates back to 1610, when Raja Wadiyar I of the Wadiyar dynasty started it. The festival’s historical roots are also linked to the Dasara traditions of the Vijayanagara Empire. Over time, the era of monarchy ended, but the tradition of the Jamboo Savari continues.

The nearly 750-kg howdah is also called the “Ambari”. It has been stated that about 80 kg of gold has been used on its wooden structure. Earlier, the Maharaja of Mysuru would sit in this howdah during the procession. Now, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is installed in it.

The Jamboo Savari started from Mysuru Palace and covered a distance of about five kilometres before reaching Bannimantap. Decorated elephants, folk artistes, cultural troupes and tableaux from various districts took part in the procession. This time, cultural troupes from other states also presented performances. A 21-gun salute added to the grandeur of the ceremony.

Trained support elephants named Kaveri and Roopa walked alongside Prashant. Abhimanyu played the role of the lead elephant. Mysuru Dasara is not only a religious festival, but also a symbol of Karnataka’s historical heritage, art and cultural identity. Prashant’s first howdah procession gave this year’s celebrations a special identity and presented the centuries-old tradition to a new generation.

Hashtags: #NationalIndia #Bhopal #MysuruDasara #JambooSavari #PrashantElephant #GoldenHowdah #750KgGoldenHowdah #Chamundeshwari #KarnatakaNadaHabba #MysuruDasaraPrashant750