Mysuru To Be On A Par With International Tourism Hotspots Like Paris And Rome: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

For the second consecutive year thanks to the pandemic, Karnataka is celebrating its ‘nada habba’ (state festival) Dasara minus all the fanfare and grand festivities.

Mysuru, whose Dasara has for centuries been known for its grand annual procession on the day of Vijaya Dashami, saw festivities being kickstarted in a low-key manner this year with former CM S M Krishna inaugurating the proceedings.

Krishna nudged CM Basavaraj Bommai to put Mysuru on the international tourism circuit, citing the example of Singapore and seeking that the Karnataka government do the needful to project Mysuru and its tourism with a focus on the annual celebrations by Dasara 2022.

Bommai responded affirmatively assuring that the state government would make all efforts to develop a tourist circuit with Mysuru in the centre and launch an attractive tour package that will put Dasara on the international tourism map.

Addressing the audience post the inauguration on the premises of the Sri Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi hill, Bommai promised to promote and market the city keeping the annual Dasara celebrations in mind.

Tourism centric events and activities will be conceptualised on the lines of the ones at international travel hostpots like Paris and Rome, said Bommai, as reported.

He promised to celebrate next year’s Dasara ‘in a grand manner if the pandemic fades away’. This year’s inaugural event was a restricted affair with just 400 people, most of whom were leaders and officials.

S M Krishna, remembering his student days in the city, said he has a ‘close bond with Mysuru’ and requested Bommai to ’create a platform for tourists to experience Mysuru Dasara and tourist destinations such as Hampi, Belur, Halebid, Badami, Pattadakal and others.

Various cultural events organised as part of the Dasara celebrations are being livecast by the government on the website that was launched, and the Facebook and Youtube page of DIPR, Mysuru.

All other festivities will be conducted following Covid protocols and all attendees — be it to the jumbo safari or the cultural activities, which has been restricted to only 500 — will have to possess a Covid negative RT-PCR report.

While the Jumbo Savari will be held on October 15, cultural programmes will be held in the palace premises every day from October 7 to 15.