Karnataka extends Dasara invite to Rajmata, Byrappa

Mysuru: Mysuru district in-charge minister and Dasara executive committee chairperson V. Somanna formally invited Rajmata Pramodadevi Wadiyar of the royal family of Mysuru for the Dasara celebrations Thursday evening.

The minister  also formally invited litterateur S.L. Bhyrappa to inaugurate the Dasara fest atop the Chamundi Hills on September 29.

Meanwhile, training to carry the wooden howdah and get the Dasara jumbos in shape to carry the golden howdah on Vijayadashami day, began on Thursday morning.

The wooden howdah with sand bags,  weighing 650 kg, was lifted with the help of a crane and  tied to Arjuna who carried the wooden howdah with ease. Jumbos Vijaya and Cauvery accompanied him as kumki elephants on both sides.

The exercise to carry the wooden howdah will be repeated for three more male elephants Abhimanyu, Gopi and Dananjaya to train them as second line elephants so that they will be ready to carry the howdah in the next five to six years.  The weight will be increased subsequently to match the weight of the golden howdah.

Meanwhile, 25 non-official members each were appointed to all 17 Dasara sub committees.  Minister Mr Somanna inspected Bannimantap torchlight parade grounds and other Dasara venues to monitor preparations on Thursday.