Mysore Dasara all set to go international

Mysore Dasara festivities will go global this year. Efforts are on to get popular cultural troupes from 54 countries to perform at the Dasara Utsav.

Medical education minister SA Ramdas, who held a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review Dasara preparations, expressed the confidence of ensuring participation of highest number of foreign cultural troupes.

Foreign tourists will have a never-before opportunity to soak in the true Dasara spirit as the state government is chalking out a unique programme to stay with traditional families of Mysore and experience Dasara celebrations throughout the 10-day celebrations.

“They’ll have a chance to participate in Durga Pooja and other rituals associated with Dasara. They will be given a traditional farewell with a memento. About 50 homes will be identified in Mysore for the purpose,” Ramdas said.

A massive publicity campaign would be launched on TV, radio, newspapers, in-flight magazines, SMSes and the internet, he added.

The meeting to rope in private participation in a big way for the festivities was held on Tuesday.

KSRTC is expected to provide 7,500 buses to ensure hassle-free services to those headed for Dasara from any part of the state and also from the neighbouring states.

Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation, which is all set to celebrate its centenary in January, had been requested to be the special sponsor of the festivities.

Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda will inaugurate the cultural fest. A separate film festival too would be organised as part of the festivities.