The ten-day long Mysuru Dasara festivities got off to a traditional start atop Chamundi Hills with special prayers offered to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, here on Sunday.
Music composer Hamsalekha inaugurated the celebrations around 10.15 a.m. by lighting a traditional lamp and offering flowers to the idol of the Goddess placed in a bedecked silver chariot amidst the chanting of hymns by the temple priests. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Minister in charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa were among the dignitaries present.
With this, Mysuru, a cultural hub, will soak into festive ambience hosting a slew of cultural events, attracting a large number of visitors to witness the glory. In view of drought, Dasara is neither simple nor grand but traditional, keeping all the characteristics of festivities together considering its magnificent history.
