Mysore poised to usher in 9-day spectacle

MYSORE: Mysore is poised to host the nine-day Dasara festivities which will take off from today. The festival, also known as the Navrathri which signifies the victory of good over evil, will be officialy inaugurated by Pejawar Mutt seer Sri Vishwesha Theerta Swami at Tula lagna (9:08 am) at the Chamundi Hill.Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and other government officials will also be present at the inaugural when a puja will be offered to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding temple deity. Temple priests led by Shekar Dixit and other officials were busy with preparations for the function such as cleaning the golden idol of Chamundeshwari that will be kept at the venue in a silver chariot. Panchayat officials have pressed to service additional staff to clean the surroundings of the temple.The illumination of trees and a portion of the Chamundi Hill, not to mention the huge welcome arch atop the Hill, has added splendour to the temple’s beauty. Important venues for the Dasara festivities, including the Mysore Palace, Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Kalamandir, Town Hall, Jagan Mohan Palace, Veene Sheshana Bhavan and Rangayana, too, are being spruced up.Prominent streets in the city have been decked up with lights, paintings and hoardings detailing about the festivities. Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and district administration is busy making last minute preparations in beautifying the city.The festive mood is hard to miss, given that even government buildings, heritage structures and educational institutions have been illuminated. Hotels and restaurants too, have volunteered  to illuminate the structures; information centres in various parts of the city have been opened for the benefit of tourists.The Dasara Marathon, Yoga Dasara, Dasara cycling and other events are among the newer additions. Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani will inaugurate the Dasara Exhibition, Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje will inaugurate the Dasara illumination at K R Circle. The railways and KSRTC will operate additional services to clear the festive rush for the next 15 days.