Celebrated in the shadow of COVID-19 for the second year in a row, Dussehra festivities concluded on a high note on Friday with the famous Jambu Savari, which was shortened as a part of a low-key celebrations, reaching the palace complex itself. was limited.
Contrary to what was announced that only 500 people would be allowed to attend the event in view of the curbs on the pandemic situation, the turn-out was huge and it looked like a celebration in a normal year. The confines of the palace were packed with people, and COVID-19 norms were thrown to the winds.
The event was livestreamed on various platforms to keep people indoors, but viewership was in the thousands.
The ceremony, which began on a traditional note on October 5, ended with an impressive conclusion with the inauguration of “Nada Habba” atop the Chamundi hills by former Chief Minister SM Krishna.
This was the second Dussehra of the tusker Abhimanyu as the lead elephant and it performed its functions with glory – carrying 750 kg of golden horda with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari – which had the accompaniment of Kumkhi elephants. Howrah or Ambari was decorated with flowers while Abhimanyu was decorated.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s “Nandi Dhwaj” worship outside the palace marked the beginning of the Vijayadashami procession. He along with other dignitaries showered flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari located in Howrah.
The usual sight of the crowd watching the grand proceedings sitting atop trees and tall buildings along the procession route was missing as the event was confined to the palace and ended in less than an hour with the slightest presence of cultural troupes . Tableau
The government decided to keep the celebration low-key as a precaution, following the advice of experts, despite the pandemic being under control. Although it allowed an elaborate illumination, all other Dussehra events, except cultural events in the palace, were cancelled.
The rain in the evening during Navratri spoiled the game. However, music connoisseurs thronged the palace to watch the music and dance performances at cultural events.
The grand Dussehra lights were the best part this year with lights illuminated within a radius of 102 km, with more roads and streets, and junctions being colorfully lit up to bring alive the festive spirit. People thronged the streets to see the sparklingly lit streets and of course the palace, leading to traffic jams.
The celebrations helped the hospitality sector relatively as compared to last year, with hotels and restaurants doing good business as the festivities, despite being short, managed to draw some crowds. Reason: Vaccination coverage and sharp drop in COVID-19 cases.
The Chief Minister’s statement during the inauguration of Dussehra that next year’s Mysore Dussehra will be a grand event provided the pandemic is tackled completely has rekindled the hopes of stakeholders who want an early revival.
Those banking on tourism for their livelihood are optimistic as the pandemic dealt a hard blow to the industry, leading to an unprecedented crisis. Though inter-state tourists were either zero or less and mostly local and people from neighboring districts, stakeholders are positive that Dussehra has made a major headway in recovering, sustaining and helping the tourism sector.
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