Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that the eleven-day Dasara festivities will start on September 22 and an estimated 10 lakh people are expected to participate in the colourful celebrations.
The government has received suggestions to choose a woman to inaugurate the festivities, Siddaramaiah said after chairing a high-level meeting on Dasara. “I’ll decide in a week or 15 days,” he said.
“Dasara has come early this time. Festivities will take place from September 22 to October 2. Instead of nine days, Navaratri will be for 11 days, including Vijayadashami. We have two days of Panchami, so it’ll be 11 days,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that there have been 11-day Dasaras eight times in the past.
The state has received good rainfall, the CM said. “Water bodies are full. There’s happiness in farmers’ faces. They’re happy with the government. So this time, we’re celebrating a grand Dasara,” he said.
The government spent Rs 40 crore on the Dasara last time, he said.
The police have been given strict instructions to ensure proper crowd management. “The police have also been directed to behave in a people-friendly manner,” Siddaramaiah said.
In the high-level committee meeting, Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa pointed out that the number of seats outside the palace was increased to 54,000 last time, which led to congestion.
Former minister Tanveer Sait suggested the formation of a Mysuru Dasara Authority to oversee all arrangements systematically.
No Ch’nagar Dasara
Siddaramaiah specified that the government will not extend the Dasara festival to the Chamarajanagara district.
Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh reminded Siddaramaiah that the Chamarajanagar Dasara was started under his tenure.
“No, it’s not correct to celebrate Dasara in Chamarajanagar. Did the royal family ever live there? I won’t allow it,” Siddaramaiah insisted.
Dasara is celebrated in Srirangapatna as it was the capital of the Mysuru kingdom once, he pointed out.
Allowing Dasara in Chamarajanagara could prompt people of Kodagu and Mangaluru to also seek festivities, he said. “So, don’t insist. People of Chamarajanagar can come to Mysuru,” he told his Cabinet colleagues.