400th Mysore Dasara off to a Colourful Start
With inputs from PTI
Mysore, Oct 9 (DHNS): All roads lead to Mysore for the next nine days. The 400th nine day-long famous Mysore Dasara festival was formally inaugurated atop the Chamundi Hills on Friday October 8.
Dharmadhikari of Kshetra Dharmastahala D Veerendra Heggade performed puja to the idol of Goddess of Sri Chamundeswari, marking the commencement of the festival. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa was among those who participated in the function and offered puja.
This year's dasara assumes importance in as much as it marks 400 years of the inheritance of the traditional form of Dasara by Mysore Wodeyar rulers from the Vijayanagar Kings.
Raja Wodeyar, who was the chieftain in the Vijayanagar Kingdom at Srirangapatna, inherited the traditional form of Dasara and organised the festival in 1610 at Srirangapatna. This was continued and after the death of Tipu in the battle against the British in 1799, the kingdom was restored to Wodeyars. Krishnarajawodeyar shifted the capital from Srirangapatna to Mysore, which later became the venue of the festival.
The Dasara celebrations will see people from all over India and abroad visit the City of Palaces to witness the finale of the grand celebrations on October 17.
It is also holiday time for schools and colleges. Extra rush of tourists are expected to head towards Mysore.
Tickets to Mysore are selling like hot cakes in many travels and tourism agencies and they have roped in additional vehicles for the purpose.
S Mahalingaiah, Secretary, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said that there has been a heavy rush for booking for Mysore.
“Since it is holiday for the next two days, people hope to visit Mysore and return back. All hotels rooms are booked till October 17,” he said.
This year, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) has extended their ‘Special Dasara tour packages’ from Chennai and Hyderabad. The Kingfisher has organised special flights for two days and one night package.
Accommodation has been arranged at Lalit Mahal where on day one, tourists will be taken to the Mysore Palace, Srirangapatna, Brindavan Gardens and the Illuminated Palace in the night. On day two, tourists will be taken to Chamundi Hills and Somnathpur.
Package extended
A KSTDC spokesperson said that last year the package was limited only from Bangalore, this year they have extended it from Chennai and Hyderabad.
“More than 80 per cent of the tickets have already been booked. Last year, we had average response due to recession. We are expecting good response this year. Many who had postponed their visit last year, are more likely to visit Mysore this year,” the KSTDC spokesperson said.
Besides, the package, the regular tourism to Mysore, has also received a very good response from the tourists.