Mysuru: Looking every bit the cultural capital of the state, Mysuru was illuminated and decked up on the eve of the 10- day Dasara extravaganza, that begins on Sunday.
Noted litterateur, S L Bhyrappa, will inaugurate the event by offering pooja to the idol of goddess Chamundeswari near the Chamundeswari temple atop the Chamundi hills between 9.39am and 10.25am in the presence of Chief Minister, B S Yediyurappa and other dignitaries.
While the Chief Minister will formally launch the cultural programmes that will be held at eight venues every evening in the city during the festival, before an illuminated Mysuru palace Sunday evening, badminton ace, P V Sindhu, will launch the Dasara Sports during the day . She will also inaugurate the six- day Yuva Dasara on October 1. Social media singing sensation, Ranu Mandal, whose video at the Kolkata railway station went viral recently, will be honoured on the occasion.
Tourists arriving in the city for the Dasara festival can look forward to other events too, which will begin on Sunday, including a five -day film festival, 12 -day Dasara Aahara Mela , that will provide a choice from over 100 varieties of regional food specialties from across the state and country and a few parts of the world, a 11- day flower show at Nishad Bhag, the 90- day Dasara exhibition, Dasara Wrestling and Book Mela.
Other events lined up for the 10 days include a “Kavi Ghoshti,” heli rides, open bus tours, a Chithra Santhe and Hasiru Santhe, Women’s Dasara, Yoga Dasara, Children’s Dasara, Farmers’ Dasara, a heritage walk in traditional attire, a pet show, an ornamental fish show, a gravel fest, a kite fest, a traditional games contest, water sports, and a Fine Arts and Crafts Dasara.
Besides, 125 prominent personalities, including members of royal families and well known industrialists from around the country and Sri Lanka will bring their vintage cars to the second edition of the Royal Classic Dasara Drive organised by the Federation of Historic Vehicles of India (FHVI) from September 29 to October 2.
The birth centenary celebrations of Mysuru maharaja of old, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar have been included in the Dasara festivities this year.
