Dasara celebrations are synonymous with Mysore. However, Bangalore too has a tradition of celebrating the 10-day festival, albeit on a much smaller scale compared to the Mysore Dasara.
The Dasara celebrations, which was started by the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, is renowned in J.C. Nagar. The J.C. Nagar (Munireddypalya) Dasara Festivities Committee has been celebrating the festival for the past 99 years. This year’s celebrations are special, given that it is the centenary year.
Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, president of the organising committee and Hebbal MLA R. Jagadeesh Kumar said the festivities involved people from all sections of the society. The committee has also roped in the Departments of Information and Kannada and Culture and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
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This year, the BBMP has sanctioned Rs. 20 lakh for the festival, he said.
Cultural troupes
The city’s Dasara celebrations are similar to the Mysore Dasara and will involve various cultural troupes and as many as 72 chariots will roll out on the streets. These chariots will carry deities from several temples across the city. The 10-day festival will also feature cultural programmes by orchestras at 6 p.m. A highlight is a humour programme by Richard Louis and troupe.
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Mr. Kumar said the 10-day event will be held at Shivaram Dasara Vedike, Government Primary School grounds, near Adi Kabir Ashram, J.C. Nagar. It will be inaugurated by Sudhakardas Shastri, Dharmadhikari of Kabir Panth Acharya Peeta, Laharthara, Kashi.