MYSURU, India (AP) — The spectators were getting restless after hours of waiting when a drizzle began. But an announcer over scratchy loudspeakers urged them in Kannada, the language of India's Karnataka state, to be patient for a little longer.
Finally, around midafternoon, a loud cheer rose through the crowd when elephants came into view at the head of a procession.
Click to Gallery
Visitors watch illuminated Amba Palace, a major tourist attraction, as part of the celebrations on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts make a decorated elephant lift its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists perform during a cultural show part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant lifts its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Drones fly to create an image of an elephant during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Lakshmana Dassaru, center, dressed in the character of Hindu god Rama, waits backstage with his fellow artists before their performance at a theater during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts ride decorated elephants as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists carry burning torches as they perform during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A mahout helps an elephant drink water while giving it a bath on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A boy films leather puppets, used in a shadow play, on display at a theater during the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A musical band performs in front of Amba Palace during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
People stand behind barricades to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Devotees walk with a decorated elephant to participate in prayers during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists hold Trishuls or tridents as they wait to perform during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, center, the titular head of the Wadiyar dynasty, walks with his aides to participate in prayers ahead of a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A military cadet tries to calm down a crying child who was waiting with his elders for hours during rains to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant painted in multihued motifs is prepared to participate in Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Amba Vilas Palace is lit at the twilight on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts bathe elephants on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Abhimanyu, a 58-year-old elephant, carries on its back an idol of Chamundeshwari, the Hindu goddess also known as Durga, in a golden howdah, during a procession on the last day of Hindu festival Dusshera, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Ragavendra MS, descendant of a former minister of Mysore's royal kingdom, poses with decorated elephants on the eve of the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
As if on cue, the rain became heavier, but the thousands of people watching seemed unperturbed. This was the spectacle they had been waiting for — the grand event Saturday in the historic city of Mysuru marking the 10th and final day of the annual Dussehra festivities.
One after another, as the 11 elephants draped in bright silken sheets passed by the spectators, each animal raised its elegantly painted trunk in greeting.
They were followed by floats with tableaux flaunting anything from technological milestones to folk culture and architecture. In between the floats were dancers and performers, some in elaborate costumes performing classical dances, others beating drums and enacting scenes from Hindu mythology.
The procession culminated when a tall, majestic-looking male elephant arrived, flanked by two shorter females.
The 58-year-old elephant, Abhimanyu, was decked up regally and carried in a golden seat on its back an idol of Chamundeshwari, the Hindu goddess also known as Durga. Legend has it that the seat, a howdah, weighs 750 kilograms (1,650 pounds) with 80 kilograms (176 pounds) of gold leaves covering its wooden structure.
Despite the weight, Abhimanyu shuffled forward effortlessly, his feet making almost no sound on the street. All the elephants used in the procession were trained to be able to walk among vehicles along noisy streets.
Animal activists have long objected to ceremonial uses of elephants, citing distress in the animals caused by crowds and noise.
Chamundeshwari is the principal deity of the Wadiyar royal family, the former rulers of the Mysore kingdom, now known as Mysuru. The elephants were sent from the royal courtyard of the Amba Vilas Palace by the now-symbolic rulers with prayers and showering of flowers as their ancestors have done for more than 400 years.
The Mysuru Dussehra celebrates the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the goddess, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In other parts of India, people celebrate the victory of Hindu god Rama over the demon king Ravana on this day.
The festivities continued until the evening and when the elephants returned to the palace, it had been lit with almost 100,000 electric bulbs, illuminating the contours of its impressive architecture.
Visitors watch illuminated Amba Palace, a major tourist attraction, as part of the celebrations on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts make a decorated elephant lift its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists perform during a cultural show part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant lifts its trunk to greet the crowd as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Drones fly to create an image of an elephant during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Lakshmana Dassaru, center, dressed in the character of Hindu god Rama, waits backstage with his fellow artists before their performance at a theater during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts ride decorated elephants as it rains during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists carry burning torches as they perform during a cultural show as part of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A mahout helps an elephant drink water while giving it a bath on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A boy films leather puppets, used in a shadow play, on display at a theater during the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A musical band performs in front of Amba Palace during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
People stand behind barricades to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Devotees walk with a decorated elephant to participate in prayers during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Artists hold Trishuls or tridents as they wait to perform during Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, center, the titular head of the Wadiyar dynasty, walks with his aides to participate in prayers ahead of a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
A military cadet tries to calm down a crying child who was waiting with his elders for hours during rains to watch a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Indian artists perform during a procession on the last day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An elephant painted in multihued motifs is prepared to participate in Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Amba Vilas Palace is lit at the twilight on the eve of final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Mahouts bathe elephants on the eve of a procession to mark the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Abhimanyu, a 58-year-old elephant, carries on its back an idol of Chamundeshwari, the Hindu goddess also known as Durga, in a golden howdah, during a procession on the last day of Hindu festival Dusshera, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Ragavendra MS, descendant of a former minister of Mysore's royal kingdom, poses with decorated elephants on the eve of the final day of the Dussehra festivities, in Mysuru, India, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
