<p>Dharmasthala Dharmadhikaari D Veerendra Heggade inaugurated the ten-day festivities by offering puja to the procession idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. <br /><br />He was accompanied by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Medical Education and District In-charge Minister S A Ramdas, Forest Minister C H Vijayashankar, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Commission Ramachandra Gowda and a host of other dignitaries.<br /><br />Explaining about the significance of the festival, Heggade said it is the time of the year when people involved in different professions pay obeisance to the tools that aid their profession. <br /><br />Forefront<br /><br />The festival that was celebrated with all pomp and vigour by Vijayanagar rulers, was later continued by Wadiyars of Mysore. And, Mysore stands in the forefront for preserving Kannada and culture. <br /><br />Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa lauded district administration for all the arrangements. He also thanked all especially minorities for staying calm aftermath of the verdict on Ramjanmabhoomi and Babri Masjid title suits by the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. <br /><br />He described it as a significant moment after independence. Earlier the Chief Minister and Heggade visited the temple. This was followed by the inauguration of film festival, wrestling, food festival, flower show, exhibition at different venues, most importantly cultural programmes at the Palace premises. <br /><br />Minister wrestles to open kusti<br /><br />Dasara wrestling tournaments took off with a minister, also a wrestler of yore slugging it out. Minister for Small Savings, Lottery and Library Revu Naik Belamagi, a septuagenarian wrestler, fought with ‘Tiger’ Balaji 21 years younger than him. Belamagi told media that he still has a penchant for wrestling, but age doesn’t permit. He couldn’t devote time after entering politics. Balaji termed it as a rare opportunity.</p>
<p>Dharmasthala Dharmadhikaari D Veerendra Heggade inaugurated the ten-day festivities by offering puja to the procession idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. <br /><br />He was accompanied by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Medical Education and District In-charge Minister S A Ramdas, Forest Minister C H Vijayashankar, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Commission Ramachandra Gowda and a host of other dignitaries.<br /><br />Explaining about the significance of the festival, Heggade said it is the time of the year when people involved in different professions pay obeisance to the tools that aid their profession. <br /><br />Forefront<br /><br />The festival that was celebrated with all pomp and vigour by Vijayanagar rulers, was later continued by Wadiyars of Mysore. And, Mysore stands in the forefront for preserving Kannada and culture. <br /><br />Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa lauded district administration for all the arrangements. He also thanked all especially minorities for staying calm aftermath of the verdict on Ramjanmabhoomi and Babri Masjid title suits by the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. <br /><br />He described it as a significant moment after independence. Earlier the Chief Minister and Heggade visited the temple. This was followed by the inauguration of film festival, wrestling, food festival, flower show, exhibition at different venues, most importantly cultural programmes at the Palace premises. <br /><br />Minister wrestles to open kusti<br /><br />Dasara wrestling tournaments took off with a minister, also a wrestler of yore slugging it out. Minister for Small Savings, Lottery and Library Revu Naik Belamagi, a septuagenarian wrestler, fought with ‘Tiger’ Balaji 21 years younger than him. Belamagi told media that he still has a penchant for wrestling, but age doesn’t permit. He couldn’t devote time after entering politics. Balaji termed it as a rare opportunity.</p>
