The Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari drew thousands of spectators along its route on Wednesday, as crowds surged to see the golden howdah carrying the Chamundeshwari idol, with more than 50 women and children reportedly suffering breathing difficulties amid pushing and overcrowding.
Spectators had begun reserving places along both sides of the procession route from Tuesday. Large groups arrived early on Wednesday, occupying stretches between the Balrama Gate and Bannimantap. Many waited with music and dancing, while volunteers distributed water, chocolates, cucumber and buttermilk to spectators.
The procession featured the howdah elephant Prashantha carrying the Chamundeshwari idol. The arrival of the flag elephant Abhimanyu, who was greeted by crowds chanting his name, was followed by elephants including Gopi, Lakshmi, Mahendra, Ekalavya, Srikanta, Sugriva, Srirama and Chaitra. Film personalities and Asian Games winners also travelled on buses and waved to spectators. Cricket player Shreyanka Patil was greeted by fans chanting support for her team.
The procession began at the Balrama Gate and proceeded towards Bannimantap. Crowds gathered heavily at Chamaraja Circle, K.R. Circle, the city bus stand, Ayurveda Circle and near Chikka Gadiyara. Although barricades had been installed on both sides to prevent people from entering the procession route, some spectators pushed forward and broke through them as the tableaux and the howdah elephant approached. Police used mild lathi charges at some locations to control the crowd, according to the report.
The pushing left more than 50 women and children experiencing breathing problems. They were taken away in ambulances. Police personnel also assisted children who had become separated from their mothers, while some women and children were moved to the roadside for safety. The incidents underlined the difficulty of managing dense, emotionally charged crowds along a long ceremonial route where sightlines are concentrated around the elephants and the howdah.
Emergency arrangements included six district fire officers and 150 fire and emergency personnel. More than 15 water tenders and 10 rapid response vehicles were among 30 emergency service vehicles deployed for the event. Sixty-seven civic workers were assigned to sanitation, while nine municipal vehicles distributed 2,500 litres of water. The Kannada and Culture Department used public-address systems at three locations to share information, and Scouts and Guides and NCC students assisted as volunteers.
Despite police instructions, spectators climbed trees and old buildings along the route to get a better view. People were seen sitting dangerously in trees within the K.R. Hospital campus. The police had issued directions against climbing trees and buildings, and similar crowd behaviour had reportedly been dealt with more strictly during the previous procession. The procession concluded with devotees distributing prasada.
