Floods cast shadow over Madikeri Dasara celebrations

Even though Kodagu is returning to normalcy, the natural calamity has left its hangover on the people, which, in turn, has affected the Madikeri Dasara celebrations.

Madikeri Dasara had gained its popularity over the years, with a large number of tourists visiting from across the country and abroad. Usually, preparations for Madikeri Dasara would be complete during the previous week of Navaratri. However, this year, no work is taken up except cleaning the venue of ‘Karaga Mahothsava’.

Karaga Mahothsava is set to start on October 10. Since the state government has not sanctioned funds for Madikeri Dasara, the office-bearers of Madikeri Dasara and Dashamantapa committee are left in a lurch.

On the other hand, organisations have been calling upon the people to celebrate Madikeri Dasara in a simple manner as a mark of mourning, following colossal losses due to floods and landslides in the district.

The Vijayadashami procession falling on the 10th day of Dasara draws crowds from all over. People witnessing Mysuru Dasara would attend Madikeri Dasara procession on their return journey.

The committees of Pete Srimandira, Dandina Mariyamma, Kote Ganapathy, Kanchi Kamakshi, Kote Mariyamma, Kodandarama, Karavale Bhagawathi, Chowdeshwari, Dechuru Sriramamandira and Kundurumotte Mariyamma come up with tableaux, which used to be part of the procession. But the aftermath of the natural calamity has sapped the enthusiasm of the temple committees this year.

Fund crunch is a major problem that has hit Madikeri Dasara preparations. The committees have no funds with them as the government had not released any grants. Also, people are in no position to contribute towards the celebrations. The tourism has seen a low point after the floods. The entrepreneurs are not coming forward to sponsor programmes as they too have experienced losses.

A temple committee member said that the temples have decided to drop DJ programmes.

It was also said that the cultural programmes would not be organised this time. There is a possibility of organising women’s Dasara and children’s Dasara.