Mysuru: The 10- day Mysuru Winter Festival organised for the first time on the lines of the city’s annual Dasara festival to make it more of a tourist attraction began on Saturday with Chief Secretary Rathna Prabha opening a flower show and other events reflecting its history and heritage.
Like during Dasara, an illuminated Mysuru Palace is the epicenter of the festival, providing the backdrop for cultural programmes and various other events. The flower show in the grounds of the palace has on display floral models crafted from 3.5 lakh flowers. They include a 20 feet tall old wooden replica of the palace itself, a 15 ft tall floral replica of the golden throne with the Maharaja seated on it, an elephant –pulled cart carrying four musicians, and an 18 ft tall model of the Sukhoi aircraft.
Those who missed seeing the Dasara dolls show now have another opportunity to view them as traditional dolls have been displayed by palace priest, Sri Hari and others. A children’s festival at the palace will have over 250 children from government homes for boys and girls playing traditional desi games like marbles and performing dances like Kamsale. Visitors can also enjoy a live demo of mask making and pottery as part of the event.
