This year’s Vijayadashami procession could be described as one of the longest as it had 150 participants. It took almost three hours for the participants that included the caparisoned elephants, tableaux and cultural troupes, to exit the palace.
In total, the procession had 49 tableaux including one from every district and 88 cultural troupes with about 50 art themes.
Notwithstanding, the caparisoned elephants led by Abhimanyu, which carried the 750-kg golden howdah, were the star attractions of the Dasara procession that got off to a start around 2.30 p.m. after the Nandi Dhwaja puja at 1.45 p.m. Abhimanyu, flanked by Vijaya and Varalakshmi, exited the palace to proceed towards Bannimantap - the final destination of the procession - around 5.30 p.m.
Usually, soon after the Nandi Dhwaja puja, the cultural art forms and the tableaux used to hit the procession route. This year, there was a 30-minute gap between the puja and the entrants arriving on the procession route as the crowds eagerly waited to see the pageantry unfold.
From the palace to Bannimantap grounds, people were jostling for space as the 5-km long road sides were jam packed with people even hanging on the trees, hoardings, and welcome arches besides buildings to get a view of the elephants and the procession.
The Dasara tableaux committee was tasked to bring the best ones and concepts to the procession and accordingly the procession had tableaux on different themes like art, culture, heritage, forest and wildlife, tourism and so on. Most were nicely crafted.
The Tourism Department’s tableau on Lakkundi temple was very impressive. The artwork looked very professional, and most crowds appreciated it.
Besides districts, the procession had art forms from Central institutes like AIISH, Mysuru.
As the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute celebrated its centenary, it showcased a tableau portraying its journey as one of the oldest medical colleges in the country. The tableau on the Indian Constitution’s preamble was also inspiring.
Vijaya Vittala Temple of Hampi was strikingly made as Vijayanagar district presented the world heritage site at the procession. The tableaux committee represented Somanathapura, and Belur and Halebid temples that were recently declared UNESCO world heritage sites.
While the Women and Child Development Department had a tableau on Gruha Lakshmi, the Information Department presented its tableau on the guarantee schemes. The government used the platform to showcase its schemes that were instrumental in bringing the Congress to power in the State.
Ballari tableau of Sri Kumaraswamy Temple at Sandur; Sri Banashankari Temple tableau of Badami; Sri Hasanamba Temple, Hassan tableau also received appreciation. As India landed on the moon, it was suitably depicted at the procession as the artistes created a model of Chandrayaan-3 – ISRO’s successful moon mission.
