It’s curtains on Madikeri Dasara

The curtains came down on Madikeri Dasara with the grand procession on Vijaya Dashami on Friday.

The main attraction of Dasara procession was the Dashamantapa based on mythological themes by various temples. However, there was a thin crowd compared to the previous years, in light of the natural calamity that struck the district recently.

In the wake of shortage of funds and as a mark of mourning, Madikeri Dasara committee had decided to drop cultural programmes on all the days of Dasara. But, following demands by committee members, cultural programmes were held on the last day at Gandhi Maidan.

The tourists who witnessed Mysuru Dasara, stopped at Madikeri on the way to get a glimpse of Madikeri Dasara.

The street vendors who had put up stalls, expressed their disappointment over the poor business.

“During previous Madikeri Dasara celebrations, we could earn profits. But this time, the response of visitors was so dull that we have to return to our places empty-handed,” said one vendor.

The teetotalers were disappointed as the sale on liquor was banned in a 10-km radius of the procession route.

Security was strengthened in the city and CCTV surveillance was carried out at sensitive locations. It could be recalled that a youth was murdered at Ganapathi beedhi during last year’s Dasara procession.

Parking facility was facilitated at FMC College grounds, St Joseph Convent ground, RMC yard, Crescent School ground, Hindustani School ground, ITI College ground, Shanti Church ground, Man’s Compound and Junior College ground.

Though the number of tourists were more at the tourist spots on Thursday and Friday, most of them chose not to be part of Madikeri Dasara procession. Rain on Friday afternoon posed a hindrance to the procession.

Dashamantapa

Ten mantapa (tableau) from various temples was the major attraction of Madikeri Dasara procession.

Each mantapa was prepared at a cost of Rs 3 lakh to 8 lakh. The artifacts were mounted on vehicles such as tractors. Mantapa by Kote Ganapathi temple depicted a war between Ganapathi and Parashuram.

The mantapa presented by Chowti Mariamma temple showcased the story from Shiva purana. Another mythological story of Nandi having a glimpse of Shiva was the theme of mantapa prepared by Chowti Mariamma temple.

Another tableau on Nandi was presented by Pete Sri Rama mandira.

Dechuru Sri Rama mandira depicted the mantapa featuring ‘Panchamukhi Anjaneya Darshana’.

The mantapa by Sri Dandina Mariyamma temple showed Goddess Adi Shakti killing the demons Shumba and Nishumba.

Chowdeshwari temple prepared a tableau on the theme ‘Ganapathi killing Gajasura’.

Kote Mariamma temple’s mantapa depicted the story of ‘Daksha Yajna’.

Kodanda Rama mandira presented a mantapa on ‘Chanda Munda Samhara’.

Karavale Bhagavati temple depicted a tableau featuring the story of Goddess Sridevi.

A mythological scene of ‘Gajasura vadhe’ was featured by the mantapa presented by Kanchi Kamakshiyamma temple.