Mysore:
The Dasara executive committee is fine tuning events to attract visitors to Mysore.
Running against the deadline-the Dasara festival starts on October 16-the official machinery is now focused on the festivities. This edition has some additions like a musical ensemble from dawn to dusk and magic shows. There is tax free entry for the visitors crossing inter-state borders. The state government has issued order waiving the entry tax from October 15, which will be on for a month, district minister SA Ramdas said on Wednesday.
Sideshwara Swami of Bijapur-based Gnanayogashram will inaugurate the festivities atop Chamundi Hills on October 16 at 10.42 am. Chief minister Jagadish Shettar and the deputy CMs will attend. The Dasara executive committee headed by the minister will start inviting the dignitaries from Thursday starting with the CM and cabinet ministers. On Friday, the minister with officials in tow will call on governor HR Bhardwaj at the Raj Bhavan and scion of the Mysore royal family Srikantadatta Narasimharaaja Wadiyar at Bangalore Palace and invite them. The invite will also be extended to the Chief Justice of the Karnataka high court Justice Vikramajit Sen.
Dasara events will start with an online quiz on Sunday. This is aimed at creating awareness about the flagship festival of the state and its history. The quiz is open for the applicants for registration at the official website for the Dasara www.mysoredasara.gov.in
“This edition of the festivities we are focusing on age-old traditions followed in the state like the customs practised by followers of different religions during marriage as the government has decided to celebrate the festivities traditionally,” Ramdas stated. The tableaus during the Dasara procession on October 24 will depict the customs and traditions followed here. It will also educate the masses about the various stages of evolution of transportation.
Ramdas admitted that the Cauvery crisis has affected the tourist flow but nonetheless said it will not impact the festivities with normalcy having returned to the Cauvery belt. “We were worried, but now hope that it will not affect the festival. The ball is now in the court of Cauvery River Authority and we hope we’ll get justice,” he stated.
According to him, commercial flights will operate during Dasara from Mysore Airport and the details will be announced in two days.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / TNN, October 11th, 2012