CM Siddaramaiah performs Nandi Dhwaja puja at Mysuru palace ahead of Dasara procession

MYSURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday performed puja to the Nandi Dhwaja at the Balarama Gate of the Mysuru palace. The puja to the Nandi Dhwaja is a significant ritual of the Dasara festival. Earlier, the CM arrived at the Lalitha Mahal Palace helipad after after having breakfast at the Suttur Mutt and reached the palace by bus.

The Dasara procession, or Jamboo Savari, which is the highlight of the festival, is scheduled to take place later in the afternoon. The procession will feature the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari being carried on a golden howdah on the back of elephant Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu has been a part of the Dasara procession since 1995 and has been carrying the ambari for the past five years. Abhimanyu is known for his calm and gentle nature, making him an ideal choice for carrying the Goddess Chamundeshwari idol.

Meanwhile, the scion of the Mysuru royal family, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, performed the Shami Puja at the Kalyana Mantapa in the palace. He also participated in the Vijay Yatra procession, which featured a float with the goddess Bhuvaneshwari and other deities. The procession concluded with Yaduveer offering prayers to the Banni tree at the Bhuvaneshwari temple

The police have tightened security arrangements for the Dasara festival, with strict checks being conducted at various points. A man with a fake duty pass was caught and detained by the police at the Ambavilas Gate of the palace.