Earlier, the Dasara festivities were inaugurated by writer/activist Banu Musthaq, winner of International Booker Prize-2025 atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru on September 22. In the procession, Abhimanyu was flanked by female elephants-Kaveri and Roopa. Inside the Palace premises, a dais was set-up for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah among other dignitaries including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Initially, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah showered flower petals to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari mounted on golden howdah carried by Abhimanyu. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the Dasara festivities conducted in “grandeur” and thanked officials concerned/Ministers/ MLAs in making the Dasara festivities a grand success.