The 400-year old iconic Mysore Dasara festival will be a low key affair this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. While it might be a simple affair the highlight of this year’s Dasara celebrations will be its inauguration. Corona warriors including five representatives of doctors, nurses, Asha workers, Paura Karmikas (cleaners) and the police shall inaugurate the Mysore Dasara festival. This is to honour them for their tireless, selfless services during the pandemic. The 10-day festival commences with the pooja of Goddess Chamundeswari atop Chamundi Hills on October 17. But this year’s celebrations will take a different, minimalistic approach. Read on to find out more.
Mysore Dasara Festival To Honour Corona Warriors This Year
The world-famous Mysore Dasara Festival shall take a subdued approach this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, it will be a unique and special one as it honours the contributions of corona warriors. The inauguration ceremony will place on October 17 with the puja of Goddess Chamundeshwari on the Chamundi hills. And this ceremony invites and encourages the participation of five corona warriors who are representatives of doctors, nurses, Asha workers, Paura Karmikas (cleaners) and the police.
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Every year lakhs of people gather in Mysore to witness the larger than life Dasara festival. The gold-lit Mysore Palace, grand elephant procession and music performances is a splendid affair that highlights 10-day festival. While the puja rituals won’t be compromised the grandeur will take a hit. Reportedly the famous elephant procession will be cancelled this year for safety purposes.
Mysore Dasara Festival To Be Low-Key Affair With Restrictions On Elephant Procession & Cultural Events
The government has released a preliminary fund of ₹10 crores for the festival. Mysuru Urban Development Authority will release ₹5 crores more for this celebration. The Dasara high power committee led by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, Deputy Chief Minister Ashwathnarayan, State Home Minister and Tourism Minister took this decision.
#Karnataka: CM Yediyurappa holds high-level meeting with Ministers and top government officials to discuss how the world-famous #MysuruDasara celebrations can be held amid the ongoing #Covid19 pandemic situation. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/YonEtB2FSr
— Ralph Alex Arakal (@ralpharakal) September 8, 2020
This year, the world famous jumbo savari procession on Vijayadashami on October 26 will witness restriction to the Mysuru Palace premises to avoid crowds. Usually, it’s a 4.8km long procession route from Mysuru Palace to Bannimantap grounds. The elephant carried Goddess Chamundeswari housed in a 750 kg golden howdah. The elephant procession shall only have 5 elephants this year.
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Mysore To Live Telecast Celebrations Through Social Media
The cultural programmes hosted every evening on the first eight days of Dasara will also be a low-key affair. Minister for Kannada and Culture and Tourism, CT Ravi stated to media houses “It has been decided to host those cultural programmes (classical music and dance concerts) infront of illuminated palace every evening will be telecast live via electronic or social media.” He also revealed that the officials dropped the Dasara sports and only restricted it to receiving a sports tattoo. The officials shall carry out the Dasara poets meet symbolically at palace premises. Dasara wrestling and Rangoli chiththaara event will also witness restrictions. Meanwhile, venture on a virtual tour to Karnataka’s Chikmagalur through this video.