Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday evening accorded floral tributes to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in the 750-kg golden howdah at Mysuru Palace, formally flagging off the historic 417th Jamboo Savari procession as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations. The ritual was performed at the auspicious Shubha Meena Lagna, drawing lakhs of spectators who had gathered on the palace grounds since morning, cheering and raising slogans in praise of the presiding deity.

Dignitaries and Key Attendees

The occasion drew a prominent gathering of political and administrative figures. Usha Shivakumar, wife of the Chief Minister, was present alongside Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. Also in attendance were Minister for Urban Development and Mysuru District In-Charge Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadgi, Mysuru Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Mysuru royal scion and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, and Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikantha Reddy.

The Golden Howdah and Elephant Captain Prashanth

This year, the 750-kg golden howdah bearing the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari — adorned in a green saree — was carried by elephant Captain Prashanth, a seasoned participant who has featured in the Jamboo Savari procession 16 times. Notably, this marks the first time Captain Prashanth has led the procession carrying the golden howdah. He was flanked on either side by kumki elephants Roopa and Cauvery. In total, 12 well-trained elephants are participating in this year's procession.

The Grand Procession: What It Features

The Jamboo Savari is the grand finale of Mysuru Dasara, Karnataka's 10-day state festival observed on Vijayadashami. The procession travels from Mysuru Palace to Bannimantap, led by decorated elephants, police bands, military cavalry, folk dancers, and colourful government tableaux. It concludes with a traditional Torchlight Parade at Bannimantap. Celebrated as 'Nada Habba' — meaning state festival — the 11-day Dussehra festivities, also known as 'Sharan Navaratri', have this year showcased Karnataka's rich cultural traditions with royal pomp and splendour.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Mysuru Dasara is one of India's most spectacular public festivals, drawing visitors from across the country and abroad to the self-styled 'cultural capital of Karnataka'. The 417th edition of the Jamboo Savari continues an unbroken tradition rooted in the Wadiyar dynasty's royal celebrations, which were later adopted as a state festival. This comes amid growing interest in experiential heritage tourism, with Mysuru Dasara considered a marquee event on India's cultural calendar.