Pomp and grandeur mark Dasara finale at Mysuru

Pomp and grandeur marked the finale of the 10-day Dasara festival on Friday, with a victory parade led by caparisoned elephants from the royal palace on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashmi, signifying triumph of good over evil.

Thousands of people from across the state and country lined up the 5km route to cheer the world famous "Jamboo Savari" (elephant procession) through the city's thoroughfares to Bannimantap grounds where a torchlight parade with fireworks and cultural show ended the grand fest.

As Dasara is celebrated as a state-sponsored fest with the royal family of the Wodiyer dynasty, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flagged off the parade at the Amba Vilas palace by worshipping goddess Chamundeshwari, whose deity was placed in the 750kg golden throne astride jumbo Arjuna.

Besides titular Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodiyar, queen mother Pramoda Devi and other royal family members, a dozen cabinet ministers, celebrities, film personalities and dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Though the festivities have been scaled down in view of the drought situation across the state, the spectacle of the Dasara procession was not affected, as evident from the presence of about a lakh people at the event.

Before the mile-long procession of a dozen jumbos, horse-drawn carriages and 24 tableaux depicting the state's heritage and tourist spots, cultural troupes and folklore began afternoon, Yaduveer worshipped the goddess and conducted rituals in the palace durbar amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests.

Governor Vajubhai Vala was the chief guest at the torchlight parade, which culminated with song and dance programme.

Though a horse collapsed at the torchlight parade due to heat and fatigue, the two-hour long grand event went on.