Mysuru: The stage is set for 405th Dasara festivities in heritage city Mysuru. For the first time, a common man-progressive Dalit farmer Puttaiah, a native of Mallara of HD Kote, will inaugurate the 11 day feast by offering pooja to the idol of Goddess Chamundeswari, housed in Silver Chariot atop Chamundi hills on Tuesday.
As many as 500 farmers have been invited to participate in the inaugural function. Three buses have been arranged to bring in the relatives, well-wishers and fellow villagers from Puttaiah’s village. Seating arrangements have been made to accommodate 1500 people.
At 1.30 pm on Tuesday, 4 day Raitha Dasara will be inaugurated by CM Siddaramaiah by ploughing the land, at Naganahalli Agriculture Training Centre. Minister for Youth Services and Sports Abhay Chandra will inaugurate Naadakusthi at D. Devaraj Urs stadium near Dasara Exhibition grounds at 3.30pm. The 90-day Dasara Exhibition will be inaugurated by Minister for tourism R.V. Deshpande at Doddakere Ground, the Dasara Exhibition ground in front of Mysuru Palace at 4 pm. Horticulture Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa will inaugurate the 13 day Flower show at Kuppanna Park.
At 7 pm, CM Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the 9-day cultural programmes in front of the illuminated Mysuru Palace. Meanwhile Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree will inaugurate Dasara book mela at 5pm.
