Dasara preparations on amidst drought, poll work
Amidst the gram panchayat election, registration of voters, drought and other busy works in which the officials are engaged, preparations are on for the state-sponsored Dasara celebrations that is set to commence on October 16 in Mysore, Mysore Deputy Commissioner P S Vastrad has said.
While final touches are being made, some programmes for Dasara have commenced like the mass bhajan mela by women participants, Dasara sports and cleaning drive, he said.
After inspecting the works for holding the Dasara wrestling at the wrestling akhada in the Doddakere grounds, the deputy commissioner said that the Dasara sports torch had left Chamundi Hills this morning and the sports competitions commenced later in the day.
Enthusiasts interested in seeing Mysore from the sky can do so by taking a joy ride on payment of Rs 2,500 per head. Aerial joy flights would commence tomorrow at 9.30 am. Work on illuminating the ciy for Dasara was in progress, he said, claiming this year too more tourists would visit Mysore to witness the celebrations. A host of important dignitaries have been personally invited. Repair of major roads have been completed and steps are being taken to erect posters and banners highlighting various programmes organised during the days of celebrations by several sub-committees.
Special worship in 1,284 temples have been organised across the district from October 16 to 24. The local Tahsildars will arrange worship in the temples of their jurisdiction. The programme will be launched tomorrow evening at the Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the northern entrance to the Palace, Zilla Panchayat President K.P.Siddaverappa said on Sunday.
A special feature of this year’s national level invitation wrestling for women would be awarding of Jhansi Rani and Chamundeswari awards for the best national and State level winning women wrestlers. Women wrestling competitions would commence from October 16 and conclude on October 22. The winners in both men and women competitions would be given a silver mace as usual. 82-year-old veteran wrestler of Mysore Pailwan Kullanna bin Eeregowda would bring the wrestling torch on October 16 to the wrestling grounds, said Wrestling Sub-Committee Chairman Pailwan V Giridhar.