Former CM SM Krishna inaugurates Mysuru Dasara 2021

Team Udayavani, Oct 7, 2021, 12:56 PM IST

Former chief minister S M Krishna inaugurated the world-famous Mysuru Dasara at Chamundi Hills here on Thursday, October 7. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and District in-charge Minister S T Somashekar were also present on the occasion.

Prior to the inauguration, SM Krishna offered prayers and floral tributes to the presiding deity Goddess Chamundeshwari. Recalling his early days in Mysuru as a student, the veteran BJP leader said that the Mysuru Dasara exhibition and other cultural programmes used to be a major attraction here.

He mentioned that Dasara, which was started by Vijaynagara kings has undergone a lot of changes over the years.

“We oppose monarchy but can’t forget the contribution made by erstwhile Mysuru kings. Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar had pledged their family gold ornaments for construction of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam,” Krishna stated.

He asked the government to come up with a Dasara package to attract more tourists to destinations like Badami and Aihole. He said that Mysuru has the potential to grow into a popular tourist destination like Singapore, by proper planning of development and maintaining cleanliness.

Further, he recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Mysuru in 1934 adding that Gandhiji was happy to see two ‘Harijan’ boys staying alongside others at the hostel established by his father Mallaiah, a member of the erstwhile Praja Pratinidhi Sabha of Mysuru state at Somanahalli.

The Dasara festival is being held in a simple manner amid the Covid-19 protocols. 400 people were allowed to attend the event.