Stage is set for Mysuru’s annual tryst with Dasara which will be held from October 13 to 23. But, it may hardly be a show-piece event this year in view of the government’s decision to scale down the festivities.
There are concerns of reduced inflow of tourists following the whittling down of the celebrations in view of drought as a result of which many of the popular programmes like Yuva Dasara, Aahara Mela, Film Festival etc have been cancelled.
But, traditional events such as cultural programmes in front of the palace will be held though the artistes will be Mysuru district-based as a decision was taken not to invite performers from outside. Dasara cultural programmes normally are being held across the city at various venues and more than 150 programmes will be squeezed in during the 10-day event. But only a little more than a dozen programmes have been slated to be held this year, all of which will be at the palace.
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Progressive farmer Puttaiah will inaugurate the festival atop Chamundi Hills between 11.05 a.m. and 11.55 a.m. in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other elected representatives.
The temple precincts were spruced up for the occasion, additional staff deployed to clean the surrounding, while the utsava murthy of Goddess Chamundeshwari, which will be used for the inauguration, and the silver chariot, were being readied for the purpose.
The private Dasara of the Wadiyars will also commence from Tuesday and Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar will be the centre of attention as he is set to continue the tradition of the Wadiyars which can be traced to 1610 A.D.
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Cultural programmes will be inaugurated by Mr. Siddarmaiah at the palace in the evening while other events related to Dasara including the exhibition, flower show, Raitha Dasara, wrestling contests etc will also commence from Tuesday. A significant feature of this year’s events is lack of promotion by the authorities as the festival has been scaled down as a result of which even the official Dasara website was updated only on Monday. The other programmes included for Dasara are heritage walk, heritage cycling, poets meet, Rangayana theatre festival to name a few.