Mysuru: Jumbo feast for Dasara mahouts

Mysuru: With the Cauvery dispute still raging, the Mysuru Dasara will once again  be low key this year. The number of tableaux and cultural troupes will be restricted to  36 and 30 respectively during the Jumbo savari and the state has cut the  budget for the celebration to Rs 11 crore from Rs 14.26 crore.

Interestingly, as many as 32 of the 69 cultural troupes, which will perform at different venues during Dasara, are from Tamil Nadu. Also, 70 per cent of traders participating in the Dasara exhibition are from the neighbouring state.

The Cauvery dispute is not stopping any of them  as already 35 traders have arrived to erect their stalls at the exhibiton grounds, according to district in -charge minister and chairman of Dasara Executive Committee, Dr H C Mahadevappa. 

Assuring  that despite the cost cutting, tourists would not find the festival disappointing , he said all  events including the Yuva Dasara, Aharmela, and cultural programmes at six venues, would be held as usual.The Dasara festivities were subdued last year too owing to the drought.

 Releasing 1000 gold cards, each costing Rs 7500 , which would give special entry to a couple and a child to all Dasara venues, the minister said the Palace on Wheels package, which would give a tour of eight palaces, would cost of Rs 999 and the helicopter joy ride over the city would cost an adult Rs 2499and children and the physically challenged, Rs 2299. While there will be no air show this year, a remote controlled aero model show will be held on October 7.