Mysuru: District in-charge Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa, who performed the rituals as the Dasara elephants began their journey to Mysuru on Saturday, also launched a Dasara website on the occasion to help both foreign and domestic tourists get all the information they need on the celebrations that end with the famed jumbo savari.
The website, www.mysoredasara.gov.in, provides information both in Kannada, and English on food and accommodation, important tourist destinations in and around Mysuru, navigation routes, a few emergency contact numbers and links to Facebook, Twitter and You tube. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister revealed that owing to poor rainfall in the state this year, there would be no grand Dasara celebrations, but all traditions associated with it would be followed as always.
He said the government would announce who was being given the honour of inaugurating the Dasara this year on August 17 when the elephants would be traditionally welcomed at the courtyard of the Mysuru Palace where they will remain until the start of the festival. Meanwhile, the first batch of eight Dasara elephants began their journey or “Gajapayana” to Mysuru at 11.20 am from a tribal hamlet near Nagarahole in Hunsur taluk to the cheering of a crowd of over 4000 and performances by cultural troupes and the sound of nadaswaras.
The caparisoned elephants were led by veteran, Arjuna, who will carry the 750 kg golden howdah for seventh consecutive year.
