The 11‑day Mysuru Dasara celebrations began on Sunday with a traditional ceremony atop Chamundi Hills. Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swami of Gavimutt, Koppal, lit the customary lamp and showered flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, which was placed in a silver chariot on the temple premises.
The inauguration marked the start of a series of events that will run for the next eleven days. The program includes a flower show, citywide illumination, a Dasara sports meet, cultural performances set against the illuminated Mysuru Palace, a food festival, a book fair, and traditional wrestling bouts.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other dignitaries attended the ceremony, which was attended by more than 200 seers and religious leaders for the first time. The presence of these spiritual heads underscored the festival’s significance beyond its royal origins.
During his address, the seer said that Dasara, once a royal festival, has evolved into a celebration of the people and the land. He prayed for good rains, a bountiful harvest, and the happiness of the populace, and emphasized that society should be built on values and ethics rather than caste. He recalled Basavanna’s 12th‑century message that work is worship and highlighted the Wadiyar dynasty’s role in the region’s development.
The seer also spoke about the importance of agriculture, noting that while technology can provide many things, it cannot replace food. He urged protection of rivers such as the Cauvery, Krishna, and Tungabhadra, stating that water cannot be imported. He called on the state’s 6 crore residents, including overseas Keralites, to contribute to school development by building laboratories and libraries, urging a collective effort for the state’s progress.
