Dasara--Elephants accorded traditional welcome

Mysore, Aug 25: Traditional welcome was accorded to six elephants to mark the beginning of preparations for the Dasara Festivities beginning on September 23.

Karnataka minister for Housing D T Jayakumar, who is also District in-charge Minister offered pooja in front of Mysore Palace to Bhalarama, who has distinction of carrying the Golden Howdah for Ninth consecutive year, and to Bharata, Gajendra, Prasanth, Revathi and Kanthi.

The second batch of six more elephants will be arriving during first week of September. All the elephants would be housed in the Palace courtyard and would undergo rehearsal before World famous Dasara procession on October Two.

It was customary for the elephants to be shifted to the Palace courtyard at least one month before the festivities begins to enable them to get adjusted to the environment. Since all the elephants have participated in more than five years it may not take much time for them to get adjusted.

Speaking to newsmen, Mr Jayakumar said that this year the festivities, which coincides with Suvarna Karnataka year of State formation, would be conducted in a grand manner. The State government has already sanctioned Rs three crores for the festivities. The Government would also consider the proposal of the Mysore City Corporation for release of Rs 6.5 Crores to take up various developmental works before commencement of the festivities, He said that special programmes, besides regular including Music festival, will be held during the nine-day festivities.

The festivities begin with special pooja offered to Goddess Chamundeswari, the principal deity, atop of the Chamundi Hills. In the evening fir works show at the Hills. Air show, sports activities, flower show, kite show were some of the competition added to this year's festivities, he added.

Replying to a question, he said that time has been sought to meet the Scion of Mysore Royal Family Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar to invite him for the festivities as per tradition.

UNI