Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar described October 22 as one of the most memorable days of his life after offering prayers to the sacred Nandi Dhwaja ahead of the grand Mysuru Dasara procession. The special ceremony took place near the Kote Anjaneya Temple in Mysuru, marking a significant stage in the celebration of the world-famous festival.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Shivakumar said that he was proud to be a part of the historic procession as it was the story of the people of Karnataka. He also prayed for good rainfall, a happy agricultural season, harmony among communities and a better future for the state’s youth.
Nandi Dhwaja worship is an important traditional ritual in the Vijayadashami Festival in Mysuru. The ceremony takes place before the grand procession, which attracts visitors, dignitaries and devotees from all over Karnataka and other parts of the country.
The Nandi Dhwaja is important in both the religious and cultural aspects, and prayers before the procession are considered an auspicious part of the festival. Shivakumar participated in the ceremony near Kote Anjaneya Temple and was seeking the blessing of the deity before the day’s major celebrations. His participation played a role in the political and religious aspect of the festivities and is among Karnataka's oldest and most celebrated cultural traditions.
Shivakumar told reporters following the prayers: “This is a priceless moment in my life. Today is a moment of great magnitude in my life. Today is a very special day in my life, a priceless moment of my life. Today is a day which I will never forget. To take part in the great Dasara procession is really a wonderful opportunity for the people and Goddess Chamundeshwari to shine upon the day with the blessing of the people and Goddess Chamundeshwari,” he said.
Thanking the goddess for the goodness of the goddess’s blessing, he said the goddess’s blessing was a source of strength for him. The festival of Dasara brings together the people and the goddess, and Goddess Chamundeshwari has become very important to him, he said. Mysuru Dasara is for many people in Karnataka not only a festival, but also a symbol of the state’s culture and history.
Shivakumar said he had prayed to Goddess Chamundeshwari for good rainfall and a successful agricultural season. Agriculture is still a critical part of the Karnataka economy, and rainfall is directly linked to farmers and rural livelihoods and food production. Not only was his prayer for farming communities and the need for rain for crops, but also for the state and its people; the Chief Minister said he hoped the goddess would bring good for the state and for the people. He linked Dasara to the reality of farmers and families who depend on good weather and economic stability.
Shivakumar also made the case for peace, social harmony and justice, as well as justice at other points of view, and in such a manner that in his speech he was able to communicate his sentiments and ask if the Dasara festival would help to overcome hatred and encourage people to be more understanding. In the state, he said injustice was prevalent in many systems in society and injustice was being done unreasonably.
The festival should become an occasion for harmony and a more just society. In Dasara, he also went beyond the ceremonial aspect and made a statement that public institutions and communities should be doing everything to achieve equity, cooperation and peaceful coexistence. It was especially appealing during a festival that brings together people from different backgrounds to celebrate a common cultural tradition.
Shivakumar also called for a better future for young people. His message was representative of the many problems young people are facing in education, employment and economic prospects. He said the progress of the state and the welfare of its people would only be possible with Goddess Chamundeshwari’s help. The festival connects the young generations to the celebrations, and so, in doing so, one has to ensure that cultural celebrations are also an attractive and uplifting experience for the young, as well.
According to the Chief Minister, the Governor also mentioned the grand procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari, which is the most historic event of Mysuru Dasara and is one of the major attractions of the festival. The Vijayadashami procession (sometimes known as Jamboo Savari) - whose elephants, traditional performers, cultural tableaux and ceremonial splendour are celebrated- is most famous to the masses.
Thousands of people come to the procession route to witness the event, and thousands of others watch the celebrations on television and the internet. Shivakumar said there is a great amount of public interest in the festival and he hoped that this year's celebrations would generate positive energy in the atmosphere and unite the communities. He also took part in the Nandi Dhwaja ritual to add another notable moment to the festivities.
Shivakumar’s message as Mysuru gears up for the big Vijayadashami celebrations has been based on gratitude, agricultural abundance, social justice and youth development. The fact that he described it as an unforgettable moment helped convey the significance of the event to him of a community-based event that is so much an integral part of Karnataka’s identity.
Besides the grandeur of the procession and the beauty of the city that is lit up, his prayers were for the state and the people in it. The festival is still a place of worship, heritage and public life, and I hope that the message of happiness will be heard far beyond the festival.
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