Mysore: Splendid Dasara Festivities Cynosure of All Eyes
Pics: Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (SP)
Mysore, Oct 3: Mysore's world famous Dasara festivities are in full swing, with crowds thronging in from all corners to winess the event of the year.
The Mysore Palace is all aglow with breathtaking decorations lighting it up. The extended illumination of the palace and its surroundings, including the gardens, is drawing big crowds of those who come to see the illumination and listen to the classical renderings by veteran musicians, including ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas and others.
The Varuna lake has become the hub of adventure with sports like skying, kayaking and banana ride offering the thrill and excitement both to the participants and onlookers.
As part of the celebrations, half marathon, kites festival, and dog show were organized in the city on Sunday October 2. People enthusiastically participated in these events, and extended full support to the Dasara celebrations.
Nearly two thousand runners took part in the Dasara half marathon of 21 km, which was flagged off from Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysore Palace at 6.30 am. It was flagged off by Javagal Srinath, former international cricketer and secretary of Karnataka State Cricket Association. Srinath also was a participant in the 10 km run event, which was flagged off by sandalwood actress, Nidhi Subbaiah.
District in-charge minister, S A Ramdas, was present.
The kite flying festival, which is a part of the Dasara celebrations, went underway at Lalitha Mahal helipad here on Saturday October 1. The two-day festival was inaugurated by minister, S A Ramdas, by releasing balloons to the sky. The competition is being held in four categories – below 12 years, 12 – 23 years, above 23 years, and group flying.
Colourful kites in different designs and depicting multifarious concepts soared to the skies, to the glee of the onlookers. Some of the kites depicted Dasara elephants, fish, peacock, tigers, dragons, Mahishasura, etc.
A dog show was organised by the Dasara sub-committee of farmers here on Sunday. This event also attracted a large numbers of canine lovers and kids. About 300 dogs of different shapes, sizes, and breeds took part in the competition. Labradors, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Great Daves, Pomeranians, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians etc and other breed dogs participated in the event.