Kempegowda Jayanthi: BBMP plans grand celebration tomorrow

Bengaluru: The BBMP will celebrate the 516th birth anniversary of Bengaluru’s founder Kempegowda on Friday at its head office.

The civic body has outlined a day-long programme to commemorate Kempegowda’s contribution to the city.

Kicking off the ‘Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Jayanthi’ at 7 am, a procession with lamps will be held from the city’s four directions — Lalbagh, Mehkri Circle, Kempambudhi Lake, and Ulsoor. A similar programme is also planned at historical sites in Magadi, Devanahalli, and Kunigal.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, along with other guests, will receive the lamps at Summanahalli Circle on the Outer Ring Road, where the new Kempegowda Bhavan will be constructed.

Ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao, Byrathi Suresh, KJ George, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, Ramalinga Reddy, KH Muniyappa and G Parameshwara will lead the procession, accompanied by MLAs.

As part of the Jayanthi, the government will pay floral tributes to statues at three locations — Kempegowda International Airport, BBMP head office, and Vidhana Soudha. Later, at 11 am, the Chief Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Kempegowda Bhavan.

An award ceremony and cultural programme are also planned in the evening at the BBMP head office.