Dasara: Blend of old and new

The glittering illumination of heritage buildings, circles and other buildings on the main roads is an additional attraction to the ‘Nada Habba’ Dasara, which is being celebrated for the 401st year with the same grandeur and traditional desi touch.

The whole city turns into a fairyland once the sun sets and a swarm of people can be seen almost in all the main roads. The tourists who visit the city for the first time are totally mesmerised as the visuals are sure to remain etched in their memory for a long time.

The festivities was inaugurated by Pejawar seer Vishveshatheertha in the presence of chief minister D VSadananda Gowda atop the Chamundi Hill on September 28.

The locals as excited as usual are leaving no stone unturned to celebrate the festival and are mentally prepared to welcome the guests, invited and unexpected who knock the doors on the morning of Vijayadashami day and give a surprise!

The district administration too have made elaborate arrangements for the 10-day festivities and have taken all steps to see that the celebration is a smooth affair.

Apart from the traditional jamboo savari which attracts hordes of people from not only our state but also from other states and even countries and the equally popular Torchlight parade, programmes are being organised to attract youth and make them feel a part of Dasara.

The people of other communities, residents of the heritage city have also geared up for the celebrations as the Gujaratis are having Dandia Ras, Bengalis performing Durga Puja in tandem with the doll arrangement of the locals.

While the middle aged and senior citizens are still recalling and comparing the Dasara of their times with the current events, the youngsters are having a bash enjoying every moment at Yuva Dasara and Yuva Sambrama programmes.

The huge crowd of youth who occupy the seats well before the programme begins is a proof of this and once the programme begins, there is nothing to stop their enthusiasm. They even break into jigs along with huge applause, and respond to the artiste’s call and dance till they drop. More than 20,000 people gathering at the Maharaja’s grounds on the first day of Yuva Dasara on Thursday, at a programme presented by Hariharan, is a proof of this.

Equally interesting and cute is the Makkala Dasara, where tiny tots being dressed in a variety of costumes to present a fashion show held at Jagan Mohan Palace on September 29, showcasing their talent and giving a lesson or two to the elders.

The farmers, who are considered as the spinal cord of the nation were not left behind, as they had their share of programmes at Raitha Dasara. They had the opportunity to display their agricultural and horticultural produce at one spot.

The women too had their share of fun at the Mahila Dasara held at Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple. The most important of all is the Ahara Mela, which is drawing huge crowds, as every year, and is a great hit among the food lovers of the city. The mela offers lip smacking chats, dosas, vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies to pamper your taste buds.

There is Dasara exhibition, flower show, marathon, heritage walk, yoga dasara, cultural programmes by expert musicians at Palace premises and a lot more.
Adventure sports enthusiasts are bound for a treat as they can get their adrenaline pumping on water, air and land.

The jet skiing being held until October 4 at the Varuna Lake has already become a huge hit among youngsters. Para-sailing at the Lalitha Mahal helipad is another event that has youngsters craving for more.

Apart from these two adrenaline pumping events, one can take a ride in the hot air balloon and go zorbing (A person is put inside a huge ball and then it starts rolling) at the Oval Grounds, until October 4

There is something even for the theatre buffs as B V Karanth Navaratri Rangotsava at Bhoomigeetha, cultural programmes at Kalamandira and Ganabharathi and Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha for the music patrons of the city.

The Kannada film lovers are in for a treat as the film festival being held screens some fantabulous Kannada films both old and new.

All in all a great Dasara treat is in store for all the eight days culminating in the grand Dasara procession on October 6, not to forget the traditional Ayudha Puja a day before.
 Experience the tradition and enjoy the thrills.