Mysore/Mysuru, Sept. 30 -- Spectators secure spots with mats, threads and sacks, anchored with stones

As Mysuru gears up for the grand finale of the Dasara festivities, excitement is reaching fever pitch across the city.

The Jumboo Savari procession, scheduled for Oct. 2, is the crown jewel of the celebrations and has already begun drawing crowds eager to witness the spectacle. Determined to secure prime viewing spots, people have started staking their claim on roadside spaces days in advance - spreading out mats and sacks, anchoring them with stones to keep them in place.

This early rush reflects the deep cultural significance and emotional attachment Mysureans share with this centuries-old tradition. Given the sheer scale of the even...