Visuals from the procession.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Mysuru: Over a lakh people watched the Jamboo Savari, which started from Balarama Gate of Mysuru Palace and ended at Bannimantap.
People started occupying the footpaths from early morning. While some had reserved places from Friday itself. A few had spread sarees and bedsheets on the steps near Bamboo Bazar on Friday evening itself, to reserve space for the Jamboo Savari, that was held on Saturday evening.
Despite the district administration banning people from entering old buildings to watch Dasara, many buildings on the route were crowded with the people, especially near Ayurveda Circle and K R Circle. Many had even climbed trees to have a glimpse of the procession.
Several organisations like Vasavi Yuva Sangha, Jeevan Mukti Foundation from Bengaluru, and Seervi Samaja Society distributed water, cucumber and buttermilk to the volunteers and the people. Shamiana were erected and seating arrangements made on Sayyaji Rao Road near Bamboo Bazar in front of a hotel, for the benefit of the tourists staying in the hotel.
Thousands of people, some with children, spreading mats and waiting from morning, were inconvenienced due to heavy rains that poured for more than an hour. However, they could not even move from the place, due to the heavy crowd.
Once the procession passed their spot, there was heavy chaos as all of them wanted to leave at the same time.
The Forest department personnel fed the jumbos with jaggery, haystack and others at the Junctions, to ensure a smooth procession.