Over 400 artists from Tumakuru made debut at the Dasara procession in Mysuru on Tuesday as they carried the 108 Nandi Dhwajas.
The Nandi Dhwajas with colourful wrappings surrounded the Chamaraja statue as the artists entered the procession route not from the palace but through the Curzon Park since they were in large numbers.
Amidst the loud applause of the mammoth crowds thronging the surroundings, the artistes enthusiastically performed even as a few of them danced to the music of drums to energise the festive ambience.
A participant said he was proud to be part of the iconic procession and said the participants belong to various villages in Tumakuru. The group was led by G.N. Prasanna Kumar of Gubbi and represented Sri Gurusiddrameshwara Sene.