Despite the low-key celebrations, the mood atop Chamundi Hills here was blissful as the 405th edition of the Dasara festivities got off to a traditional start on Tuesday.
As the dignitaries reached atop the hill, music from folk instruments filled the atmosphere and there was no dearth of enthusiasm from those gathered, especially farmers.
After deciding to scale down the fete considering the drought conditions and farm suicides, the government had turned the festivities “farmer-centric”, and a progressive farmer was invited to inaugurate the event to send a message to the farming community on its commitment towards their well-being.
ADVERTISEMENT
Puttaiah, a 67-year-old farmer from Malar Colony in H.D. Kote, launched the festivities in the presence of dignitaries, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister in-charge of Mysuru district V. Srinivas Prasad, other Ministers and elected representatives.
Mr. Puttaiah lit the traditional lamp and showered flower petals on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a silver chariot on the temple premises. He was joined by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, in his speech, defended the decision to scale down the festivities saying that over 136 of the 176 taluks had been hit by drought and nearly 600 farmers had committed suicide so far. Moreover, Dasara had been scaled down in the past whenever there was a drought.
ADVERTISEMENT
He described Mr. Puttaiah as a model for farmers and said the government was committed to their well-being.
“Inspire farmers but don’t instigate them,” he said, in an apparent reference to his critics. Politicising suicides was condemnable, he observed.
Earlier, Mr. Srinivas Prasad described the occasion as historic as a farmer had inaugurated it.
“The event is simple but traditional. Funds had been cut down from Rs. 15 crore to Rs. 4 crore,” he said.
In an apparent reference to criticism over the low-key Dasara, the Minister said, “The grand event was made simple on humanitarian grounds as farmers are in distress.”
Ministers H.C. Mahadevappa, H.S. Mahadev Prasad, T.B. Jayachandra, Umashree, Mayor R. Lingappa, MLAs, MLCs, and senior officials were present.
On the first day of Dasara, devotees made a beeline for the Chamundeshwari Temple, which was accessible after the inaugural event.