Dasara: Mysuru gears up for mini 'jamboo savari' amid Covid-19 pandemic

Mysuru, Oct 26: With the COVID-19 pandemic casting its shadow, ''Jamboo Savari'' on the last day-''Vijayadashami'', that marks the end of the 10-day long Dasara festivity in Mysuru being restricted to the palace premises.

Jamboo Savari usually attracts large crowds, as it is the most awaited event. The procession, that normally a 5km affair winding through the thoroughfares of the city, will now be just across 270m due to the pandemic.

The world renowned Jambu Savari (procession of caparisoned elephants) will be restricted to the palace premises, to be witnessed by only 300 people.

This time only five elephants led-by captain Abhimanyu will takepart in the processsion. Normally, 10 or 12 elephants used to participate in Jamboo Savari. The event will be telecast live on Dooradarshan and on Facebook and Youtube.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will be performing puja at the Nandi Dwaja near Balarama Gate of the Palace, in the auspicious Makara Lagna between 2.59 pm and 3.20 pm. He will be performing the pushparchane to the idol of Chamundeshwari Devi, placed in the golden howdah carried by elephant Abhimanyu during Kumbha lagna between 3.40 pm and 4.15 pm.

Celebrated as "Naada Habba" (state festival), the 10- day event every year showcases Karnataka''s cultural heritage resplendent with folk art forms.

According to officials, the earlier incident when Jamboo Savari was restricted to Palace compound was in 2003, as the state had witnessed the "worst" drought that year.