Thousands witness grand finale to Dasara

People belonging to all age groups dressed in colourful outfits lined up the four-km procession route to catch the glimpse of majestic tusker Arjuna carrying the 750 kg golden 'howdah' (ornate carriage) with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

The majestic 52-year-old Arjuna was flanked by 'Kanthi' and 'Chaitra' with nine other pachyderms that also took part in the procession.

They were followed by horses, camels, tableaux, cultural troupes and police bands. First timers Gopi and Kavery also part of the procession which marks marks the victory of good over evil.

The procession meandered through the main roads of Mysore and ended at Bannimantap grounds where 'Panjina Kavayathu' or torchlight parade was held by contingents of Karnataka Police in the presence of Governor H R Bhardwaj, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and his cabinet colleagues.

Though it is a state event, the royal scion Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar celebrates it as 'Navarathri' in the palace and reanimates the elysian period of Wodeyar dynasty and antique Vijayanagar empire.

Security was beefed up with around 4,500 police personnel deployed along the procession route.

This is the 401st year of the grand Dasara festivities, which was started by Vijayanagara empire rulers and carried on by Wodeyar kings of Mysore.