As the Dasara festivities got off to a start atop Chamundi Hills on Thursday, a series of events unfolded throughout the day with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and some of his Cabinet colleagues inaugurating them.
Almost all the events connected with the celebrations took off even as the festive mood surrounded the city even as tourists started arriving to witness the spectacle of grandeur.
Dasara exhibition, Dasara food mela, Dasara flower show, Dasara wrestling, Dasara film festival, Dasara Book festival, and Dasara adventure sports were among the major events that commenced at different venues here.
The Chief Minister took time off and watched a keenly fought wrestling bout at the Devaraja Urs Multipurpose Stadium here, after inaugurating the tournament that features Nada Kusti . He was accompanied by Minister in-charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa. A keen wrestling enthusiast, Mr. Siddaramaiah enjoyed the match with his old acquaintances.
Food mela is another popular event which is organised at two venues this year – Scouts and Guides Grounds and near the Lalitha Mahal Palace. Foodies are thronging the venues with the traffic police personnel having a tough time controlling the traffic around the popular events, including the flower festival.
Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree inaugurated the Rangoli drawing competition near the Balarama Gate of Mysuru palace. Minister for Sports Pramod Madhwaraj took a ride in a boat marking the inauguration of adventure sports at Varuna lake on T. Narsipur Road.
In the backdrop of illuminated palace, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Dasara cultural events. Artistes of national and international repute will be performing at the venue that draws connoisseurs of music and dance.
Dasara film festival was inaugurated at the Kalamandira by the CM. Award-winning Kannada and films of other languages, including some foreign films, will be screened at one screen each at two multiplexes over the next week.
