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Dasara fest begins in Mysore on high note
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, Oct 4 (IANS) The Dasara festival began in Mysore Tuesday on a high note, with the Wadiyar royal couple joining thousands of people to herald the 10-day celebrations by invoking the blessings of goddess Chamundeshwari.

Coming as it does after Karnataka was blessed with bountiful rains during the southwest monsoon, the City of Palaces is wearing a festive look to host the Nada Habba, the state festival, with pomp and pageantry.

The day began with a puja atop Chamundi hill in the presence of Mysore scion Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, his wife Pramoda Devi, Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash and cultural personalities.

Amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and prayers, Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysore, was carried around the temple on a silver chariot in a colourful procession to mark the 'utsava moorthi' or idol procession.

In Mysore city, considered Karnataka's cultural capital, noted Kannada litterateur Baragur Ramachandrappa formally inaugurated the festivities at Mysore palace, the seat of the Wadiyar royals for over seven centuries.

Cultural extravaganza, dance programmes and music concerts at Kala Mandira, Jagan Mohan Palace and Town Hall across the city marked the first day's celebrations.

About 30 religious and historical movies in Kannada have been lined up for screening during the 10-day event in local theatres.

Some 50 wrestlers took to the ring at Devaraj Urs Stadium to demonstrate their prowess in martial arts. A mammoth exhibition also got underway at the sprawling city grounds.

Thousands of people including tourists began trooping into Mysore Tuesday morning to join in or witness the gaiety marking the celebrations organised by the state government in association with the royal family and other agencies.

The district administration has decked up the city, beautifying junctions and traffic signals and illuminating the main thoroughfares.

"This time we are expecting about three to four million people from India and abroad to witness the glittering Navrathri celebrations spread over the next nine days," an official told IANS on phone from Mysore. 

"Glory and pomp has returned to the Dasara fest after it was marred in the last couple of years due to droughts, the abduction of actor Rajkumar and the Veerappan menace."

The state government has sanctioned Rs.40 million for the multi-cultural event. Corporates and social organisations have chipped in with about Rs.10 million to make the festival a success.