Mysuru, Oct 21: The historic ‘Jamboo Savari’ (grand elephant procession)—the final, climactic event of the world-renowned Mysuru Dasara festival—was flagged off on Wednesday at 4:00 PM. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Yaduveer Wadiyar, a scion of the royal family, offered floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar inaugurated the Jamboo Savari by offering flowers to the 750-kg golden *ambari* (howdah) carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, stationed within the Mysuru Palace grounds.
Present on the occasion were Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (referred to as ‘Satheesan’ in the source text), Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the District Commissioner, and several other dignitaries.
The elephant ‘Captain’ Prashanth, bearing the 750-kg golden howdah with the presiding deity Goddess Chamundi, marched with regal majesty as part of the procession. Accompanying Prashanth were the *Nishane* and *Kumki* (escort) elephants.
This marks the first time the elephant Prashanth has carried the golden howdah. The Jamboo Savari procession also featured various cultural troupes and elaborate tableaux.
The Jamboo Savari procession will travel from the Mysuru Palace grounds to Bannimantap. For the first time, actors and actresses from the Sandalwood film industry participated in the ‘Jambu Savari’ (elephant procession).
At the special invitation of the Mysuru Dasara Festival Committee, ambassadors and high-ranking diplomatic dignitaries from 11 different countries arrived in the ‘Cultural City’ to witness the Jambu Savari procession.
This year, the Jambu Savari procession featured 60 tableaux and over 50 cultural troupes, all showcasing the state’s art, culture, and development.