11 Palace cannons get traditional puja

21-round Dasara cannon salute in 1 minute: Dry run from tomorrow

Mysuru: With just 16 days to go until the Dasara inauguration, traditional puja was performed for 11 cannons at the Mysore Palace premises this morning.

Of the 11 cannons, seven will fire the 21-round ceremonial cannon salute before the Jumboo Savari commences on Vijayadashami Day (Oct. 21).

Priest S.V. Prahallad Rao, accompanied by other priests, performed Ganapathi and Mrutyunjaya pujas near Aane Baagilu.

City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr. I.B. Prabhu Gowda and City Armed Reserve (CAR) DCP Siddanagowda Y. Patil offered puja after the cannons were moved a short distance from Aane Baagilu.

All 11 cannons were thoroughly washed, cleaned and decorated with vibhuti, turmeric, kumkum, rice and flowers. Lemons were placed under the cannon wheels before they were moved. Puja was also performed for a small gunpowder-loading cart used during the Chamundeshwari Rathotsava.

On Vijayadashami Day, the Dasara procession will begin after the 21 ceremonial cannon salutes. Seven cannons will be used, with each firing three rounds, totalling 21 shots. The salutes will be synchronised to conclude precisely as the National Anthem ends.

During Jumboo Savari, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, placed in the Golden Howdah, will be offered floral tributes by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. National Anthem will be played at the same time, accompanied by 21 cannon salutes.

Dry-run for flawless execution

CAR personnel will begin dry-run rehearsals from tomorrow (Sept. 26) to ensure flawless execution. The training will focus on timing, coordination and safety measures.

Personnel will carry out the procedures using seven cannons in three rounds, with a target of completing the 21-cannon salute in one minute, without using actual explosives.

The personnel will simulate retrieving gunpowder, loading it into the cannon barrels using wooden rods, filling the fuse holes and triggering the spark. The rehearsals are aimed at streamlining timing and ironing out technical flaws.

To acclimatise Dasara elephants and horses to the booming sound of the cannons, they will be fired during rehearsals for three days, beginning 10 days before the grand finale.

After the puja, Police Commissioner Seema Latkar interacted with CAR personnel. The staff requested cotton tracksuits for safety, noting that cotton is less flammable in the event of flying sparks from gunpowder.

DCPs Dr. Harsha Priyamvada (Law and Order) and K.S. Sundar Raj (Crime and Traffic), ACP Somashekar, CAR personnel S.B. Mallikarjuna, Siddaraju, Raviswamy, Janardhan Jatti, Channabasavaiah and others were present.