Dasara celebrations kickstart in Mysore but restricted to rituals only

Bangalore, Sept 25: After much speculation and drama, the Mysore Dasara celebrations kickstarted today as Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad inaugurated the 404th edition of the celebrations in

.

Though clouds of doubts were hovering over the Dasara celebrations, the government has made elaborate security arrangements in the city. However after the death of scion of the Mysore royal family Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, this year the celebrations will be restricted to only rituals.

Unlike previous years, the celebrations this year will have to do away with the traditional durbar, Wadiyar sitting on the golden throne and conducting the ceremonies and the Vijay Dashami procession, which is known to attract many tourists.

Initially there were doubts over the celebrations after the demise of Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar but Wadiyar's wife Pramoda Devi expressed her support to the state government

The State Government has released Rs 12-crore funds for the same. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other VIPs were present for the iauguration.

OneIndia News