Officials estimate cost of Dasara at Rs 10 cr state gives Rs 6 lakh!

Dasara jumbos to head for Mysore on August 8.

The district authorities in Mysore have set the ball rolling for the 2012 chapter of Dasara — the annual state-sponsored 10-day religious-cum-cultural fiesta falling this year during September-October.

But the festival is already showing signs of financial stress. While the estimated cost of conducting the festival is around Rs 10 crore, the state government has released only Rs 6 lakh till now.

At a meeting of senior officials held under the chairmanship of District Incharge Minister S A Ramadas here yesterday, a decision was also taken to reduce the number of sub-committees from 35 last year to 25 this time by merging a few of them.

The march of the Dasara elephants from the forests to Mysore, which has turned out to be a new feature, will take place on August 8. Led by the howdah elephant Balarama, about a dozen elephants will leave from Veeranahosahalli village on the outskirts of Mysore.

They will arrive at the palace to receive a traditional welcome on August 11 where they will camp for over a month.

The 10-day-long festival will commence on September 28 and conclude on October 6, the Vijaya Dasami day. Preparations for the Nada Habba will commence soon after a meeting with the chief minister in Bangalore on July 18.

The minister suggested to the officials to hold talks with the travel and trade industry to attract more foreign tourists this Dasara. The meeting also discussed the themes to be chosen for tableaux to participate in the Vijaya Dasami procession.