Dasara Exhibition to become year-round heritage tourist hub: Karnataka Exhibition Authority chairman

Mysuru: Chairman of the Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Ayub Khan announced that the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition will no longer be limited to the festival season. Instead, it will be developed into a year-round, heritage-style destination for tourists.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised by the various local organisations to celebrate the extension of his term as chairman, Khan expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mysuru District In-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa and Tourism Minister H K Patil. He was nominated on February 28, 2024 and given an extension on February 9, 2026, with state minister rank.

“To boost tourism in Mysuru, we need more permanent tourist spots. Our goal is to transform the Dasara Exhibition Grounds through various development projects,” Khan said and outlined several upcoming plans.

He said, “The new attractions would include an industrial exhibition, a glow garden, and a dinosaur park. The new 154 commercial stalls are in the traditional Hoysala heritage style. A ‘hi-tech’ touch is given to D Devaraja Urs Multi-purpose Stadium, besides the installation of musical and dragon fountains.”

The KEA chairman emphasised that a year-round exhibition would provide a consistent platform for sports, shopping, food, and musical entertainment. Importantly, it aims to support thousands of local traders, labourers, and entrepreneurs, fostering economic self-reliance for the poor.

Khan noted that exhibition events have been organised by the KEA in other cities for the first time, following its success in Mysuru.

During the felicitation event, prominent figures from Mysuru’s social and commercial sectors congratulated Ayub Khan on his extended tenure.

They include: president, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Maddikere Gopal; president, Mysuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry, K B Lingaraju; philanthropist K Raghuram Vajpayee; president, Brahmin Association, D T Prakash; president, Hotel Owners’ Association, C Narayana Gowda; president, KMPK Trust, Vikram Iyengar; Chandrashekhar of Basava Balaga, Nagaraja V Bairy, Rakesh Kumar, Ajay Shastri, and former corporator Raghuraja Urs.