Howdah, ever lasting glint of Jamboo Savari

The credit goes to ‘ambari’ (howdah) the eternal attraction of jamboo savari, since the rule of Vijayanagar empire.

When Raja Wadiyar revived navaratri in 1610, he replicated the tradition followed by Vijayanagar kings in its original form and ‘howdah’ was one such part of the event. Though there are no records to substantiate the claim, it is believed that Krishnadevaraya the most celebrated ruler of the empire was going on ‘seemolanghana’ in the howdah, crossing the border as a show of might during navaratri.

In a way it was a psychological warfare adopted by the king with the procession forming all the wings of the army, only to instil fear among enemy kings. Elephant, the vehicle of Lord Devendra, was also the symbol of dignity for having a gigantic look, compelling the king to make it a part of the event. 

When Wadiyar’s shifted their capital to Mysore after the fall of Tipu Sultan in 1799, Maharaja Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar continued with the festivities, but ‘Chariot’ replaced by howdah and pulled by six elephants was the main attraction. But it lasted for his period of rule, as his successor Hattane Chamarajendra Wadiyar (1868 - 1894) re-introduced ‘howdah’ but gold plated wooden structure. However, it was Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV popular as ‘Nalvadi’ (1902 to 1940) who gave a renewed look going for golden howdah.

Historian P V Nanjaraja Urs says-it’s made of solid gold and adequate space was created to accomodate three including the maharaja. Maternal uncles of the maharaja, and siblings, and chidren in the case of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar had the privilege to go in the howdah.

After Nalvadi, his successor and the last maharaja of Mysore Jayachamaraja Wadiyar found seat in the howdah till 1969 the last Dasara organised by the royals. When the then central government abolished privy purse of the king in 1970, a hurt Jayachamaraja Wadiyar shifted the golden throne from the main durbar hall to Amba Vilas. 

He also decided not to ascend the throne during navaratri and placed ‘pattada kaththi’ (sword) on the throne, before leaving for Bandipura. Subsequently, jamboo savari was not taken out. As is the ritual, maharaja was staying confined to the palace during the festivities observing several practices in the run up to ‘Jamboo Savari’. The maharaja didn’t budge and remained away from the glint of the festivities till his end came in 1974.

A group of concerned citizens of the city- Ideal Jawa founder F K Irani, the then legislator D Jayadevaraje Urs, elected representatives  B C Lingaiah and Tiwari were vociferous and decided to conduct Dasara under the banner of ‘Janata Dasara’ in 1971. They were of the opinion that Dasara the only star attraction of the city should remain a part and parcel without any glitches.

A wooden howdah mounted atop a jumbo carrying the idol of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari formed the attraction of jamboo savari in the year. The procession started from Oval Grounds and culminated at the Palace.

 The following year saw the intervention of the State government which replaced the idol of Bhuvaneshwari with Chamundeshwari and wooden howdah with that of ‘Golden howdah’ which has become an integral part of ‘Jamboo Savari’ till today. It is also the only saving grace for Dasara to retain its glint.