Karnataka - Mysore

Euphoria and enthusiasm mark Dasara finale

MYSORE: Overall, it was a fun-filled Dasara finale.

There was euphoria and enthusiasm despite the shadow of terror.

The world famous Jamboo Savari passed off peacefully on Thursday.

Policemen prevented people from climbing the terraces of temples at Balarama Gate of the palace to watch Jamboo Savari.

Despite policemen guarding the temple terraces, some youth managed to climb up only to be caned.

As the temples are old, the authorities asked the police to prevent people from climbing up the terraces of Sri Rama Temple and Sri Chandramouleshwara Temple from the adjacent park premises as a precautionary measure.

Unmindful of the risks, many people, especially youngsters, watched the event from atop the trees and advertisement hoardings along the procession route.

Scion of Mysore royal family Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar did not accompany Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to flag off Jamboo Savari apparently owing to an injured foot.

Mr. Wadiyar suffered a cut on his right foot while proceeding to “Bannipuja” as part of the Vijayadashami celebrations.

After getting some first aid, he completed the rituals at the Bhuvaneshwari temple on the palace premises. Instead of returning to the residential palace on a silver chariot on which he came to the temple, Mr Wadiyar, who was in the royal costumes, returned on his BMW car, drawing the attention of the crowds.

Mayor Ayub Khan, who rode on horseback in Jamboo Savari, could not resist the scorching heat and gulped a bottle full of butter milk.

Mr Khan, who was in the mayoral robes and a Mysore peta, took horse riding lessons from the Mounted Police along with Mysore Zilla Panchayat president K. Mari Gowda, who also rode on horseback, which is customary in the procession.

On covering a distance, Mr. Mari Gowda too felt fatigue and drank butter milk.

There was a beehive of activity at a corner of the Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple adjacent to the Balarama Gate during Jamboo Savari.

People were seen rushing towards the place in urgency. It turned out to be a makeshift fast food joint serving snacks, traditional sweets and hot and soft drinks.

The duty-bound personnel, who could not make it for lunch, had quick bite to keep them going for a couple of hours more.

The fast food joint made brisk business serving “puliyogare”, “kodabele”, “chakkali”, “sajjapa” and “kajjaya” to the people.

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