Floods may not affect the grandeur of Mysuru Dasara; Sudha Murty likely to be the inaugurator

Mysuru, Aug 29: Amidst reports that Mysuru Dasara festivities are likely to be scaled down this year in view of the Kodagu floods and the drought-like situation in 65 taluks in Karnataka, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has clarified that government will celebrate the annual festival with all tradition fervour and there will be events to promote tourism beyond the Navaratri festivities.

Speaking to media persons after chairing a Dasara high power committee meeting here on Tuesday, he said the state is hit by floods in some parts and dry spells of rain in others and hinted at declaring 65 taluks drought-affected.

Kumaraswamy, after chairing a meeting of the Dasara High-Powered Committee here on Tuesday, said this year’s Dasara festivities would be a purely traditional affair and all events connected with the annual celebrations would be continued. The Gajapayana of the first batch of Dasara elephants will be held on September 2.

The newest entry to the festivities this year will be ‘Janapada Jathre’ for showcasing of the rich folk art and culture of the land. The CM said there was no dearth of funds for the events and the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner, who will be the Dasara Special Officer, would have a free hand in organising the festivities.

On the Dasara grant, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the district administration would submit a proposal and accordingly, a grant would be released. Last year, ₹15 crore was sanctioned.

Responding to the chaos every year over the issuance of passes for Jamboo Savari, he said the procession route would have many huge LED screens so that people can watch images of the spectacle without any hassle.

The government will invite philanthropist, writer and chairperson of Infosys Foundation Sudha Murthy to inaugurate Dasara festivities which will begin here on October 9. The 10-day event will start atop Chamundi Hill with a special puja to presiding deity Chamundeshwari. Kumaraswamy took the call to invite Murthy for the annual event although Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha had earlier appealed to the government to get writer S L Byrappa to inaugurate the festival.