Mysore  : 10-day Dasara festivities main attraction ‘Jamboo Savari’ or elephant procession was witnessed by thousands of visitors to this cultural capital of Karnataka on October 17, Sunday.
The majestic tusker Balarama, standing tall at 2.7 metres and weighing around 4,900 kg, led the procession of 12 caparisoned elephants, horses, camels, police contingents and tableaux depicting different historical places of Karnataka.

Balarama, carried the 750 kg golden “howdah” – an ornate carriage – with the idol of  goddess Chamundeshwari in the procession that covers four kilometres.
According to Hindu mythology, the procession celebrates the victory of good over evil. The goddess is the presiding deity of Mysore.

This is the 400th year of the grand Dasara festivities, started by Vijayanagara empire rulers and carried on by former kings of Mysore ‘the Wodeyars’.
Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa offered prayers to the idol of Chamundeshwari carried by Balarama, marking the start of the procession watched by thousands of people from Karnataka and other places in the country and abroad.
The Palace is illuminated with 100,000 bulbs every night. Cultural shows are also held. Around 60 tableaux, 27 of them from as many districts in the state, around 25 cultural troupes from across the state and police bands added colour, music and dance to the procession.