The first rehearsal of Jamboo Savari was held at the Mysuru Palace

The Jamboo Savari rehearsal was held at the Mysuru Palace premises on the Sunday before the Dasara finale. | Photo credit: MA Sriram

The first rehearsal of the grand Dasara procession, Jamboo Savari, was held at the Mysuru Palace premises on Sunday, with elephants and policemen participating.

The rehearsal included a demonstration of the ritual of showering flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, seated in a golden howdah carried by the lead elephant. Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, along with forest and police officials, rehearsed the ritual from an elevated stand outside the palace.

Ms. Latkar said the rehearsal was conducted before the grand finale of Dasara on October 21, which will feature a procession of elephants in capers, cultural troupes and paintings.

“We have organized it to ensure that everything is synchronized and well-coordinated,” she said, adding that the position of all participants during the rehearsal will have to be maintained during the parade itself.

The second stage of security

Ms Latkar said the second phase of security arrangements had been activated for the Dasara finale, with nearly 23 Superintendents of Police (SPs) and over 6,000 security personnel, including Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and home guards, deployed.

The first phase of security measures remained in place until the drones and air shows, while the second phase will be in effect on October 20 and 21, it said.

An image of the Indian Army will participate in the parade this year, she added.

Details of the dignitaries expected to visit Mysuru to witness the grand finale will be shared later, she said.

Published – 18 Oct 2026 18:27 IST