The Jumboo Savari
On the afternoon of Vijayadashami the goddess leaves the Palace in a howdah of gold on the back of the lead elephant, and the whole city walks with her to Bannimantap. It is the single most-watched event in Karnataka.
From the Palace gate to Bannimantap
The procession leaves through the Balarama Gate, turns onto Sayyaji Rao Road past K R Circle and the Devaraja Market, and follows the road north to the Bannimantap grounds. Along the way are the elephants, the Palace cavalry and camel corps, mounted police, the tableaux of every district of Karnataka, and folk troupes from across the state.
- Balarama Gate → K R Circle → Sayyaji Rao Road → Bannimantap
- Roads close from 11 AM on procession day
- The lead elephant reaches Bannimantap around 5 PM
Chinnada Ambari
The howdah is of teak, plated with 80 kilograms of gold, and weighs about 750 kilograms with its idol. Only the lead elephant — chosen and trained for years for the role — carries it. Before the procession the Chief Minister and the scion of the royal family offer worship to the goddess inside the howdah, and the elephant is showered with flowers.
- 80 kg of gold on a teak frame
- Carried by the lead elephant only
- Worshipped at the Palace before departure
The best vantage points
Palace forecourt galleries
The best view of the departure — the howdah puja, the elephant lining up under the Palace arches, the first hundred metres of the march. Seats sell out first.
Get a gallery seat
Sayyaji Rao Road
The whole procession passes at walking pace. Stand early; the road fills three deep by early afternoon. Shade is scarce — carry water.
Venue guide
Bannimantap stands
The arrival, the ceremonial welcome of the goddess, and then the Torchlight Parade in the same seat as evening falls. The one ticket that covers both.
Get a gallery seat
The Torchlight Parade
As the procession reaches Bannimantap the festival’s closing act begins. The Palace cavalry ride in formation by torchlight, the police and paramilitary bands play, motorcycle daredevils and gymnasts perform, and the evening ends in a burst of fireworks over the grounds. It is the formal close of Dasara.
- Bannimantap Grounds, from 7 PM
- Cavalry, bands, daredevils, laser show
- Fireworks finale around 9 PM
