Kannada and Culture Department Secretary I M Vithalamurthy said on Thursday that VIPs participating in the Dasara and Vijayadashami celebrations would be given identity cards.

He was speaking to mediapersons after meeting officials with regard to the preparations for Nadahabba Dasara which begins on October 12.

Gold Card holders, who enjoy uninterrupted entry into the palace and various processions, would be pampered further with special seating arrangements, he added. The cost of Gold Cards has been hiked by Rs 1,000 making it Rs 6,000 this year. They are available online as well at www.mysoredasara.com. Cards will be delivered within 48 hours of booking online. “About 750 cards are up for grabs. Already 150 cards have been taken by online buyers,” he said.

About 4,000 seats will be made available on palace premises. Passes to witness the world-famous jamboo savari will also be distributed a few days before the event. Announcing a total ban on people witnessing the grand procession passing through parts of the city from atop buildings, Mr Vithalamurthy said that seating arrangements would be made along the way.

Janapada Jathre
Janapada Jathre, a colourful performance by folk artistes, has been organised on October 13 and 14 in the city. The troupes will then travel towards Nanjangud, Somanathapura and Srirangapattana to perform in those places of tourist attraction, he added. Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao, Deputy Commissioner Channappa Gowda and Mysore Urban Development Authority Commissioner Manivannan were present.