Winter festival on the lines of Dasara to promote tourism

The district administration, along with the Tourism and other departments, is hosting the Mysuru Winter Festival, on the lines of the Dasara festivities, from December 23 to January 1, to give a boost to the tourism sector.

Flower show on the premises of the Mysuru Palace, cultural events at various venues, children's festival, winter food festival and cake festival will be held. Plans are afoot to make the winter festival a brand like the Dasara, said Deputy Commissioner D Randeep, here, on Friday.

"Most of the events will be held on the Palace premises. Rs 1.5 crore has been earmarked for the 10-day festival. The flower show will be organised by the Palace Board from 10 am to 9 pm. A 10-ft tall 273-ft wide vertical garden, adjoining the Shwetha Varahaswamy temple wall is a major attraction.

Besides recreating the royal aura with replicas, flower replicas of Kalinga sarpa, tortoise, star, fish, octopus, Hanuman, Chota Bheem, Chota Krishna and Sukhoi aircraft will be made to attract children. Government offices and private organisation will also display their plants in pots and also flower arrangements.

Dolls show, photography exhibition, folk art forms, fancy dress competition, wrestling, Origami, Yoga and desi games will be a part of the children's festival, involving 250 kids. The Information and Public Relations department will organise a three-day film festival at Kalamanidra. Each day, a Kannada movie and an English movie will be screened.

The Horticulture department will organise the musical fountain at Kuppanna Park on all 10 days from 7 to 8.30 pm. On December 26, 27 and 28, from 7 am to 9 am, heritage cycle rides has been organised, he said.

On December 30, an open street festival will be held from 8 am to 7.30 pm on D Devaraja Urs Road.