City establishments, revellers gear up to welcome New Year

The bomb-scare, following the blast on Church Street in Bengaluru that claimed one life recently, is not dampening the spirits of New Year revellers.

People from Bengaluru and even neighbouring towns like Mandya, Hassan and Madikeri have plans to usher in the new year in the City of Palaces — Mysuru. Besides, Mysuru has a wide diaspora of foreign nationals and also people from across the nation. While Yoga, tourist attractions and educational institutions draw foreign nationals, the last two factors in addition to job opportunities in major software companies attract youngsters from other States.

While prestigious clubs entertain only its members and their guests, commercial establishments like hotels, resorts and restaurants have geared up to host a bash for those who do not mind shelling a few thousands.

While people also pool in some amounts to organise parties in their neighbourhood, colonies and apartments, some prefer to celebrate with just their family members at home. In extreme cases, some people go to bed as usual, without bothering about the goings on around them.

Shobha Prakash, a resident of Kalyangiri Nagar, said, each family on their street was pooling Rs 300 and contributing one food item each for the celebrations. “Children of the locality get an opportunity to perform cultural programmes. Rehearsals have already begun. Besides putting up a shamiyana, a stage will be erected,” she said.

Most of the hotels and resorts have chosen a particular theme for the New Year parties. Pankaj Saxena, general manager of Country Inn and Suites By Carlson, said, their theme is ‘Arabic Nights’, as Samba, Belly, and LED dances will be the highlights of the
celebrations. “Another attraction is flairtending with fire by renowned flairtenders, where spirit-based drinks are served to the guests with fire at the bar counter,” he said.

This year, the New Year has coincided with Vaikunta Ekadashi, an auspicious day for Hindus, especially Vaishnavites. Founder of Yoganarasimhaswamy temple Bhashyam Swamiji said, it is a rare occasion and such coincidence happens once in about 48 to 50 years. “This is a good sign for the coming year. It will usher in prosperity for all,” he said.