'City of Palaces' gears up for Jamboo Savari

Mysore, Oct 19: The 'City of Palaces', Mysore is gearing up for the world famous 'Jamboo Savari' which marks the culmination of nine-day Navaratri Festival. The final touches for the world famous Dasara procession, which was slated for October 21, were being given and the District Administration was making efforts to ensure the event is a memorable one.

The four km 'Jamboo Savari' would be flagged off by Governor Rameshwar Thakur after performing puja to the 'Nandidwaja' in front of the Mysore palace.

Later, he would also offer puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari idol, which would be in the golden howdah, being carried by the 50 year-old elephant Balarama. Scion of the Mysore Royal family Srikantadatta Narasimaraja Wadiyar would be the Chief Guest on the occasion.

The procession would begin with 21 gun salute by the police personnel and march upto the Bannimantap grounds. There would be more than 80 units in the procession, including 22 tableau various contingents of police and folk troupes.

Meanwhile, there had been a big influx of tourists into the city since last one week. According to officials, so far more than two million people had already visited the city and witnessed the various cultural programmes.

The Railway and State Transport authorities had introduced special services to clear extra rush during the festivities.

After the procession, the festivities would conclude with Torch Light parade at Bannimantapa, in which Mr Thakur would receive the guard of honour.

The procession would be telecast live by Doordarshan. Entire city was under tight security following an alert sounded in the wake of bomb blasts at Ajmer and Ludhiana. The police led by Commissioner Baskar Rao had decided to strictly enforce the restrictions. The VVIPs, invitees, gold card and ticket holders and the media persons would be screened at the entrances.

Seating arrangements for 5,750 people would be made available at the palace premises to witness the procession. Close circuit cameras would be installed at different points in the palace premises, procession route and Bannimantap grounds.

Arrangements for over 20,000 people including ticket holders and invitees, were being made at Bannimantap for watching the Torch Light parade.

The authorities had made seating arrangements, all along the procession route to avoid people climbing tree tops and the rooftops of the old buildings.

About 4,000 police personnel and strike forces would be deployed on October 21. UNI