Mysuru City gearing up for Dasara

Mysuru: Preparations are going on in full swing for the Dasara festival. The cultural city would dazzle with electric lights during Navaratri. As the State government downsized the Dasara celebration by deciding to observe simple Dasara like last year, the authorities planned to illuminate city roads, circles at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.

Owing to simple Dasara, the common man does not have the chance to view the caparisoned Abhimanyu with the glittering Golden Howdah carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, as the procession is restricted to palace premises. Instead of the procession, people and tourists can go around the city to see the brightly lit up sky and Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has been entrusted with the responsibility of making it a memorable experience for the tourists and city residents.

During a normal Dasara, over 50 kms of road covering 51 circles at city centre are illuminated and this year, it will be double the distance, assuring that it would be a grand spectacle. A wide-ranging illumination is also likely to boost business in evening hours as there will be many who will shop and sight-see.

CESC has initiated an experiment this year on the Raja Marga from Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle (Hardinge Circle) till Bannimantap where only yellow and golden colour bulbs will be put as a special attraction. Speaking to reporters CESC Managing Director Jayavibhava Swamy said that the estimated cost of illumination project would be Rs. 5 crore and over 2.5 lakh units of electricity are estimated to be spent for illumination. "We are getting sponsorships from private companies and Corporates that are estimated at Rs. 50 lakh," he said.

Apart from lightings, like in the previous years, there will be many illuminated insignias displayed at major junctions such as Goddess Chamundeshwari, social reformers, Wadiyars of Mysore, national monuments, Parliament and Vidhana Soudha will be created along with other national integration symbols like the India Gate, Ashoka Pillar and historical symbols like Gandabherunda will be displayed along with other attractions.