Curtains came down on the 11-day-long world-renowned Mysuru Dasara celebrations in the palace city on Thursday, but the aura of the spectacular drone show continues to mesmerise viewers.

Nearly 3,000 drones created a giant tiger in the sky, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest aerial mammal image. The spectacular show also featured Chandrayaan-3, cultural icons, and Karnataka symbols, thrilling thousands of spectators.Visuals of the drone shows are grabbing eyeballs after videos of the event emerged on social media, highlighting the grandeur of this year’s festivities.

Celebrated as 'Nada Habba' (state festival), the Dasara or 'Sharan Navaratri' festivities were a grand affair this year, showcasing Karnataka's rich culture and traditions, reminiscent of royal pomp and glory.

Thousands witness Jamboo Savari

Thousands of people lined the streets to witness the 'Jamboo Savari', a march of about a dozen caparisoned elephants led by Abhimanyu, carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, on a 750 kg howdah or "Ambari" adorned with gold.

The grand procession began with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with ministers and dignitaries, offering pooja to the 'Nandi Dhwaja' (Nandi Flag) between 1 pm and 1.18 pm during the auspicious "Dhanur Lagna" at the Balarama gate of the imposing Amba Vilas Palace.

After the pooja, Siddaramaiah greeted the people on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

Cultural tableaux and government participation

The procession, covering approximately five kilometres before culminating at Bannimantapa, featured numerous artists’ and cultural groups from various districts, showcasing Karnataka’s regional culture and heritage. Tableaux from government departments, depicting schemes, programmes, and social messages, were also part of the parade. People gathered in large numbers along the route, undeterred by occasional showers.

The chief minister and other dignitaries, including Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and the erstwhile Mysuru royal family scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, flagged off the 'Jamboo Savari' by showering flowers on the goddess in the howdah during auspicious "Kumbha Lagna" between 4.42 pm and 5.06 pm.

Elephant Abhimanyu leads the way

Twenty-one cannon shots marked the arrival of elephant Abhimanyu, carrying the goddess for the sixth time, flanked by 'Kumki' elephants Cauvery and Roopa at the specially erected dais. Dignitaries offered flowers to the goddess from the dais.

The Dasara procession, held on Vijayadashami, signifies the victory of good over evil. Traditionally, kings would ride in the howdah with their brothers and nephews. Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was the last royal king of Mysuru to ride in the howdah. Today, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is carried instead. The 750-kg howdah is made of wood, overlaid with 80 kg of gold.

Royal rituals continue

Keeping up with tradition, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, dressed in grand attire, conducted the 'Vijaya Yatra' from Amba Vilas Palace to Bhuvaneshwari Devi temple within the palace premises, performing special pooja to the 'Shami' tree earlier in the day.

Ahead of this, 'Vajramushti Kalaga', a special duel between wrestlers or 'Jetties' armed with a knuckle-duster, was held at the palace, with participants from across the state.

Ten days of festivities

During the ten auspicious days of Navaratri, Mysuru’s palace, streets, circles, and buildings were illuminated in "Deepalankaara". Cultural programmes were held at multiple venues. Events included food melas, flower shows, farmers’ Dasara, women’s Dasara, Yuva Dasara, children’s Dasara, poetry recitals, and regular crowd-pullers like the famous Dasara procession, airshow, torchlight parade, drone show, and Mysuru Dasara exhibition, turning the city into a carnival.

The torchlight parade at Bannimantap grounds on Thursday evening was attended by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

Daily palace rituals included 'Khasagi durbar', with Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar ascending the golden throne amid chanting of Vedic hymns.

Historical roots of Mysuru Dasara

Dasara celebrations were observed by the Vijayanagar rulers and inherited by the Wadiyars of Mysuru. The festivities began under Raja Wadiyar I in 1610.

Following the abolition of the privy purse in 1971, Dasara became a private royal affair. A low-key celebration continued locally until the state government revived it in 1975 under then Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs, a tradition that continues today.