Addressing a news conference here, he said as per the decision taken by Urban Development Minister S Sureshkumar nearly a monthly ago, the howdah carrying elephant would be brought before the dais after the last tableau leaves the palace premises.
The purpose of doing that was to save Balarama from waiting for more than two hours with more than 800-900 kg on his back, on ‘jamboo Savari’ day. Hitherto, the VVIPs were offering floral tributes to the howdah carrying elephant soon after offering pooja to the ’Nandi Dhwaja’ at Balarama Gate of the palace. After that the elephant was to wait till the last tableau passed. Following suggestions from general public, noted personalities and animal lovers, the howdah would be mounted on Balarama after the procession starts. “It will take at least one to one and a half hours for the procession to end. Till then the elephant will be kept ready. Then, the CM and others will offer flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari and the jumbo would join the procession”. Gupta said as many as 1,000 gold cards are printed this year of which 400 cards are already sold. Another 200-300 cards may be brought in next two days. “The response for gold cards is satisfactory”.
Parking
Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal said vehicle passes to enter Amba Vilas Palace are issued only to VVIPs. The parking for vehicles of gold card holders and two-wheelers will be at Doddakere grounds. The parking for vehicles of non-pass holders will be at Maharaja’s grounds provided they should buy tickets priced at Rs 1,000 and Rs 500. On producing those tickets, they would be dropped near the palace in KSRTC buses. Due to paucity of space inside the palace premises, vehicle passes are being issued judiciously, he added. The entry to Torchlight parade will be free from Gate No. 6 to No. 10 opposite to St Philomena’s college.
Agarwal, who is also the chairman of Dasara Procession Sub-committee said in all, there will be 110 items in the procession including tableaux and cultural troupes drawn from various districts. Besides, cultural troupes from seven states will be accompanying the procession. A qawwali programme by artists from Pakistan will be held in front of Palace on Saturday.
